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eVisa is a new digital way to prove your immigration status. From 1 January 2025, you will need an eVisa instead of:
- biometric residence permits (BRP)
- biometric residence cards (BRC)
- endorsements or stickers in passports
BRP and documents above will no longer be accepted.
To get an eVisa – Create a UKVI online account. You might already have one if you have a BRP.
- If you already have a BRP, then you will already have a UKVI account and you can apply directly to the eVisa scheme online. You need to do this even if your current visa lasts beyond the introduction of the eVisa system on 1 January 2025.
- If you don’t have a BRP, you need to get one before applying for an eVisa.
If you have settlement status and a physical document which prove your status, you must apply for a BRP. If successful, you will receive a UKVI account and can apply for an eVisa.
When applying, you may need to provide evidence of your residency in the UK for each year. This evidence must be submitted online and may include mortgage statements, employment records, and travel history.
- If you already have a BRC, your status has been granted under the EU Settlement Scheme and you have an eVisa. You don’t need to apply for one.
If you have pre-settled or settled status through the EUSS scheme, you will be given an eVisa.
If you want to apply for a visa or ILR
If your application to remain in the UK is successful, you will get a temporary BRP and an eVisa and at the end of 2024 you will have only eVisa.
What can you do with eVisa?
- eVisa will be linked to your UKVI digital account.
- You will need to constantly update your passport and ID card details.
- You will need to have your passport with you when traveling.
When you have a UKVI account, you will be able to generate codes that confirm your status and share them.
Why do you need codes?
- Share with employers or landlords.
- The codes give access to your immigration status.
- You can generate new codes whenever you need them.
We help our clients get a UK visa quickly.
If you need help book a consultation below.
The UK has reached a critical turning point in immigration policy.
Following the release of the official White Paper and headlines from major outlets like The Guardian, The Telegraph, and The Financial Times, one thing is clear: everything is changing.
Here’s what’s been announced or actively discussed:
- Severe reduction in family dependants — particularly under work and student visa routes. This applies even to those already living in the UK.
- Redefinition of ILR and citizenship — These will no longer be viewed as automatic after 5 years, but rather earned through tax contributions and integration into UK society.
- Visa routes under review — Schemes like the UK Expansion Worker visa may be scrapped altogether.
- Tighter sponsor licence controls — Non-compliant businesses will lose their sponsor status faster, with stricter audits.
- Stricter visa extension criteria — Renewals will now include checks on presence, ties, and proof of genuine residence in the UK.
- Students and graduates under pressure — The Graduate visa route is under threat. Only those bringing clear “economic value” may remain.
What does this mean in practice?
You have limited time to apply under the current rules
Those who act now are more likely to qualify under today’s conditions
Simple routes will become more selective
ILR and citizenship will be for those who work, pay tax, and integrate
Our forecast?
From late 2025, we expect all UK visa routes to become more expensive, more scrutinised, and less accessible.
But right now — action is still possible.
Here’s what we’re already doing for our clients:
- Transitioning Graduate Visa holders to Self-Sponsorship
- Strengthening ILR and Naturalisation evidence
- Registering Sponsor Licences before enforcement tightens
- Supporting family applications ahead of restrictions
- Refocusing clients on long-term visas like Innovator Founder
Our advice?
If you’ve been planning to stay in the UK, apply for status, bring family, or launch a business — now is the time to act.
Soon… it may be too late.
📩 Contact Us — we’ll explain everything and build your strategy.
We are witnessing a transition from the current SOC 2010 codes to SOC 2020 Codes, aligning with the latest data provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). As a result, sponsors will need to evaluate which SOC Code is appropriate under the new list for individuals sponsored starting from April 4th, 2024. For those extending their sponsorship, it is crucial to map their existing SOC Code to the corresponding new SOC Code.
Additionally, it appears that several SOC Codes previously not eligible for sponsorship have been added to the list of eligible SOC codes. This development broadens the scope of occupations that can be sponsored under these classification systems. It is important for sponsors to stay updated with these changes and ensure compliance with the revised SOC codes in order to maintain accurate records and avoid potential legal or administrative issues.
These changes are necessary to reflect the evolving nature of work and the changing demands of the labor market. The new SOC codes will provide a more accurate and up-to-date classification system for occupations. The revised SOC codes are based on input from various stakeholders, including employers, workers, and researchers.
One of the key changes in the new SOC codes is the addition of new categories to reflect emerging occupations such as data scientists, digital marketers, and content creators. Additionally, some existing categories have been reorganized or renamed to better reflect their content. For example, the category of “Computer and Mathematical Occupations” has been split into two separate categories: “Information Technology Occupations” and “Mathematical Science Occupations.”
Another important change is the inclusion of more detailed subcategories within each major category. This will allow for a more granular analysis of occupational trends and will make it easier to compare data across time periods.
Overall, the changes to the SOC codes from April 4, 2024 are designed to improve the accuracy and relevance of the classification system. This will benefit both researchers and policymakers who use the SOC codes for their work.
The United Kingdom has announced an increase in the minimum salary requirement for family visas. The spouse/partner visa minimum income should be £29,000 from April 11, 2024, and this amount will be valid until the 4th quarter of 2024 and then it will be increased by the end of the year to £34,500 and at the beginning of 2025 to £38,700.
This change was announced in the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 590), which was published on March 14, 2024 and laid out before Parliament on the same day.
This amendment to Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules is part of the UK’s ongoing efforts to regulate immigration and ensure that those seeking entry into the country have the means to support themselves and their families. The increased minimum income requirement is aimed at ensuring that only those who can financially support themselves and any dependents they bring with them are granted a family visa.
Who will be affected?
The Statement of Changes specifies that the change will affect new applicants to the family route, which includes children, spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, fiancés, and proposed civil partners.
Individuals who already have a family visa granted on the five-year route to settlement and who wish to apply to extend their stay or apply for indefinite leave to remain with the same partner will continue to be assessed against the £18,600 income requirement. Likewise, those who submit an application before the increase takes effect on April 11, 2024, will also have their applications assessed against the current threshold.
Can the income of both the applicant and the sponsor be included in calculating the £18,600 / £29,000 sum?
Both the applicant’s and the sponsor’s income can be taken into account when calculating the £18,600 / £29,000 threshold.
When applying for an initial visa from outside the UK, only the sponsor’s income is considered towards meeting the minimum income requirement. However, for extensions and permanent residence, both incomes are taken into account. Generally, individuals need to provide proof of having earned this income over the past six months.
There are also options available for those who do not meet the minimum income requirements, allowing them to qualify for a visa through other means such as using savings above £16,000 or in exceptional circumstances.
Savings still count towards the minimum income threshold
The basic rule remains the same as before: only savings above £16,000, divided by 2.5, count towards the threshold. Usually, people will add savings to the sponsor’s income to reach the threshold, although they are also allowed to use only their savings. A couple with no relevant earnings who want to meet the threshold entirely through savings now need a lump sum of £88,500.
Similar to the main income rule, individuals generally need to have had the required amount of savings in their account(s) for six months prior to applying.
How our Immigration Advisors can help?
Our immigration advisors are ready to provide advice and guidance regarding Family Visas: spouse, partner, and other Appendix FM applications. If you are interested in making an application, our specialists would be happy to have discussion with you. Book a consultation below.
Since April 11, 2024, there have been major changes in the 10 year Long Residence ILR route. The changes open up the route for many, but limit it for others.
The long residence route to the settlement is created for those who have lived in the UK continuously and legally for more than10 years. The rules are now integrated into the new appendix: Appendix Long Residence.
The changes will be available to some applicants who did not meet previous absentee requirements, such as those who came to the UK as a child-student, while others lose out.
Calculation of absence
The requirement for 548 days total outside the UK during the 10-year period is removed, but applicants can no longer have absences of up to 184 days in a row. For settlement applications, applicants must hold their current immigration permission for at least one year from 11 April 2024.
The applicant must have a permit of 12 months or more on the current route
A new requirement has been introduced that applicants must hold permits on the current route for at least 12 months. This change will delay the application for settlement, even if you have already completed 10-year residency, if you have been on your current route for less than a year.
Importantly, this requirement applies only to applicants whose current visa is granted after 11 April 2024.
What counts for the 10-year qualifying period?
Applicants must have a lawful permit in the UK or be exempt from immigration, with the exception of permits as visitors, short-term students or seasonal workers.
The new rules stipulate that the time spent in the UK by EEA nationals or families of EEA nationals to exercise treaty rights is eligible for a period of 10years. This is a clearer position than under the previous rule.
As before, the time spent over-staying in the UK will still break the 10-year qualifying period, with a few limited exceptions.
Importantly, one major change was a useful feature of the old route, which allowed those who had accrued a long period of legal residence but who had never made an application, as applicants could no longer rely on the historic 10-year qualifying period to qualify for settlement under the new rules. This is no longer an option under the new rules.
How we can help?
Book a consultation with our immigration adviser and learn how these changes will affect you and how you will remain eligible for indefinite leave.
