Is there an expiration date for transferring ILR to eVisa? The two deadlines for the old BRP.

24个月，旧BRP的用途仍有限。

英国政府2026年6月8日更新永居身份说明：过期BRP可在卡面到期日后24个月内，用于指定手续，但还受2026年12月31日这条截止线限制，两者取较早。到今天2026年9月30日，仍有人需要用旧卡进入数字身份系统。这项安排与已经获得的永居资格分开计算，不能把卡片可用期限读成永居剩余期限，也不能从看到公告那天重新起算。对仍持旧卡的人，眼下最有用的动作，是确认自己究竟已经接到了哪一步。

我的判断是：仍只靠旧BRP登录的人，应在它的可用期限内接好现用护照、实际登录核验一次，不值得把这件事留到出行前。

ILR旧卡的期限，只管特定用途

The UK government's "Biometric residence permits" page specifies a narrow purpose: log in to view eVisa and generate a share code, create a UKVI account to access eVisa, and apply for an extension of stay in the UK. The third item is for those who need to renew their stay. Those with valid ILR do not need to reapply for permanent residency solely because the card has expired. BRP is the physical residence permit, while eVisa is the digital record of identity and residence conditions.

The difference between the two approaches is very specific: just keeping the old card safe will not solve the issue of online identity access; after completing account association, you can view digital records and use the corresponding certification services.

If "the old card can still be used" is directly used to determine whether boarding is possible, it exceeds the scope of this arrangement. The UK government's entry guidelines clearly state that BRP cannot be used for travel. Travel verification checks whether the current passport or travel document matches the digital identity; being able to log in with the old card number does not mean that the newly replaced passport has been successfully linked. These two matters can both be operated on the screen, but the actual information being verified is different.

The card's expiration date affects these specific purposes; based solely on this date, it cannot be concluded that the permanent residency has expired and a new permanent residency must be re-applied for.

When actually organizing, you can copy the card's expiration date on one side, then calculate backward 24 months, and compare it with December 31, 2026, taking the earlier date as the cutoff for using the old card. If it has already exceeded the cutoff, the official account opening instructions still list other verification combinations: valid passport combined with visa application number, or valid passport combined with BRP number. The expiration date of the physical old card should not be interpreted as meaning that everyone can no longer activate a digital identity from now on.

As for those who can already use eVisa and have already linked their current passport, there is no need to open another account for this year-end date.

First confirm the document, then select the processing entrance

Putting all situations under "reapply" will involve extra procedures. For those with expired BRP and not yet connected eVisa, the entry is UKVI account services; for those who only have a permanent residency stamp or sticker on an old passport, it is necessary to consider No Time Limit, abbreviated as NTL, which refers to indefinite status verification. These two paths have different prerequisites and required documents. First, identify the evidence you have, and the subsequent steps will become much clearer.

Users with existing accounts should continue processing from their original account; the UK government's account opening guidelines clearly state that a new account should not be created if an UKVI account already exists.

If you are unsure whether you have an account, you can first look for previous account confirmation emails, or try to log in and check eVisa. The official guide also separately distinguishes between "creating an account" and "associating eVisa": after the account is created, identity verification and association must still be completed before you can view electronic records. Only a successful registration prompt is not enough to confirm that eVisa has been connected. Those without applicable documents or who cannot use a smartphone also have other identity verification arrangements.

If you have received the account opening email but cannot see your identity, you can first check whether the association has been completed; re-registering alone cannot replace the unfinished association steps.

On the other hand, people who have an old passport with a permanent residency stamp or sticker that does not have an expiration date and whose identity is still valid can choose to apply for NTL to obtain eVisa. Current official statements allow continuing to use the original physical proof; digitization will not change the existing identity. NTL must be applied for within the UK, the application itself is free, and upon approval, an electronic record will be provided; procedures include fingerprinting, taking photos, and submitting required supporting documents. The official processing time can be up to 6 months, so it's necessary to allow some extra time when making arrangements.

Therefore, the old BRP line on December 31, 2026, cannot be directly applied as the mandatory conversion deadline for all holders of old passport residence stamps.

Here is a detail I will specifically verify. Home Office "Travel documents: no time limit" 24th edition as of April 1, 2026, clearly states in the "Digital Identity" section: those who already hold eVisa should not apply for NTL, and submitted NTL applications will be canceled. It draws a clear line between two processing paths. Those who already have electronic records but are having access issues should resolve the access problem; reapplying for NTL cannot replace restoring the original account.

NTL is also unable to handle the function of re-applying for permanent residency: it confirms existing unlimited status and cannot be used to fulfill the conditions for those who have not yet obtained permanent residency.

NTL递交后的出行安排，也要单独看。上述指引“申请资格”部分允许申请人在审理期间离开共同旅行区，NTL申请不会因此被视为撤回；英国政府的定居电子签证说明则允许在等待期间继续使用原实体证明。两项放在一起，才能判断手续与旅行能否并行。出发前仍需确认手中证件适用于此次出入境、能够证明有效身份，并留意采集生物信息及补件通知，避免把审理中的申请回执当成已经获发的电子证明。

从境内递交NTL，与审理期间可以出行，是两项分别成立的安排；这不等于人在境外也能直接递交NTL。

对准备完成承接的人，我会把核验顺序放在申请按钮前面：先确认原账户能否登录、数字记录是否显示正确身份，再核对现用护照号码和联系方式。若显示的身份与批准结果不符，按官方eVisa错误报告入口处理；若是换护照，则按账户资料更新服务处理。UKVI的更新说明还提示，等待签证申请决定期间，姓名及护照资料的更改有限制。

家人也要分别核对。官方开户指南要求受养伴侣和孩子各有自己的账户，主申请人能看到身份，不代表其他人的记录也已接好。

If I only do one verification today, I will check the numbers in my account word by word using the passport I prepared for travel, then log out and log back in to confirm that I can find my identity record. For accounts where someone else has handled it before, I also need to confirm that the verification code can be received by myself or the authorized person in charge. When there are still issues with access, keep the error page, application number, and the steps already tried, and then explain through the official account support channel; this information can help narrow down the problem to a specific actionable step.

The old card can remain in the file, and when next time identity verification is needed, there will be a digital record on hand that can be accessed and matches the information, thus reducing one place of temporary waiting in life arrangements.

This document is for reference only. For specific issues, please consult a licensed attorney.

[Data source] UK Government BRP User Guide, Electronic Visa Series Guide; Home Office "No time limit" 24th edition. This article is verified against official content available as of September 30, 2026.

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