How will my UK immigration permission be issued if I am a Skilled Worker or Creative Worker?
03 July 2023
The below table provides a general summary of when an applicant for UK immigration permission as a Skilled Worker or Creative Worker will receive physical evidence of their status and when they will receive digital status only. It does not cover all forms of UK immigration permission (notably under the EU Settlement Scheme) and does not constitute legal advice.
We have also included a FAQ covering issues we commonly advise on about eVisas and Biometric Residence Permits (‘BRPs’). For specific immigration queries, please contact a member of our immigration team.
Applications made outside the UK
| Applying for entry clearance as a Skilled Worker or Creative Worker using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check app’ | Applying for entry clearance as a Skilled Worker or Creative Worker and you are a non-visa national | Applying for Entry Clearance as a Skilled Worker or Creative Worker and you are a visa national | Applying for permission to enter as a Creative Worker and you are a non-visa national with engagements totalling three months or less | |
| What is the application process? |
You will not need to attend a biometrics appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) and have the option to provide your biometrics entirely online through the UK Immigration: ID check app (ID app).* You will then complete a linked application form (partly on your phone, partly online). |
If you are a non-visa national, you should have the option to use the ID app* or attend an in-person biometrics appointment at a VAC after submitting an online application form. | If you are a visa national, you will need to attend an in-person biometrics appointment at a VAC after submitting an online application form. | As a non-visa national applying under the Creative Worker route, you can enter the UK without a visa and will not need to complete an online visa application form. You are entitled to enter on a three-month Certificate of Sponsorship concession. Your sponsor will need to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to you before arrival in the UK. If you are entering the UK from Ireland, immigration clearance must be obtained from UK Border Force. This must be requested at least 72 hours before your intended arrival. |
| Will I get an eVisa? | Yes. You will get digital immigration status and can view this online. | If you used the ID app, you will get digital immigration status and can view this online. If you attended a biometrics appointment, you will not get digital status (more on this below). |
No. | No. |
| Will I get a physical document? | No. Your Immigration permission can be viewed entirely online. | If you used the ID app, you will not receive a physical document. If you attended a biometrics appointment, you will have an entry clearance vignette (‘visa sticker’) placed in your passport in advance of travel. On or shortly after arrival in the UK and if your entry clearance exceeds six months, you will get a BRP. |
Yes. You will be issued with a visa sticker in advance of travel. On or shortly after arrival in the UK and if your entry clearance exceeds six months, you will get a BRP. |
Yes. You must see a Border Force officer at an immigration desk and will receive a wet ink stamp in your passport endorsed with permission to enter for up to three months to work for your sponsor. You must not use an eGate to enter the UK, even if you have an eligible nationality. You will not receive a BRP. |
Applications made inside of the UK
| Applying under the Skilled Worker route if you are an EEA/Swiss national or hold a BRP | Applying under the Skilled Worker route if you are not an EEA/Swiss national and you do not hold a BRP | Applying to extend your stay under the Creative Worker route if you are an EEA/Swiss national | Applying to extend your stay under the Creative Worker route if you are not an EEA/Swiss national | |
| What is the application process? | You will be able to use the ID app* to provide your biometrics and will not need to attend an appointment. You can use your passport to apply. | You will need to attend an in-person biometrics appointment at a UKVCAS location after submitting an online application form. | You will be able to use the ID app* to provide your biometrics and will not need to attend an appointment. You can use your passport to apply. | You will need to attend an in-person biometrics appointment at a UKVCAS location after submitting an online application form. |
| Will I receive an eVisa? | Yes. You will get digital immigration status and can view this online. | No. | Yes. You will get digital immigration status and can view this online. | No. |
| Will I receive a physical document? | You will only receive a BRP if you are a visa national. | Yes. You will get a BRP if your total stay in the UK exceeds six months. If your stay is less than 6 months, you have a visa sticker placed in your passport. | No. | Yes. You will get a BRP if your total stay in the UK exceeds six months. If your stay is less than 6 months, you have a visa sticker placed in your passport. |
Please note, applying via the ID app is not compulsory and attending a biometrics appointment in person is an option.
*See Using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for eligible nationals and application types. Please note, using the ID app for entry clearance is only possible where the applicant is relying on a passport (not a BRP) and the passport has a biometric chip. Using the ID app for permission to stay is only possible for BRP holders under specific immigration routes, including Skilled Worker or if the applicant is an EEA/Swiss national.
Select the links to view further information about the Skilled Worker and Creative Worker routes.
How will my immigration permission be issued in other visa routes?
| Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist worker | Temporary Worker: Government Authorised Exchange | International Sportsperson | Global Talent Visa | |
| Applying outside the UK | These visa routes adopt the same process for entry clearance. If you hold an EEA or Swiss passport with a biometric chip, you can use the ID app as described above and your immigration permission will be issued digitally. Otherwise, you will attend a biometrics appointment and your immigration status will be issued as a visa sticker and BRP (if permission is over 6 months). Note that the Global Talent route involves a two-stage application process where you first must apply to be endorsed by an accepted endorsing body. Once endorsed, you can make your visa application either via the ID app (if applicable) or by attending a biometrics appointment. |
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| Applying inside the UK | These visa routes adopt the same process for permission to stay. If extending this visa within the UK, only those who hold an EEA or Swiss passport can use the ID app and receive an eVisa. You will otherwise need to attend a biometrics appointment on this route. | |||
| Further information | Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist worker | Temporary Worker: Government Authorised Exchange | International Sportsperson | Global Talent Visa |
FAQ
What should I do once I receive an eVisa?
You should access your UKVI account and update your login document details with your passport details if you are a non-visa national and your BRP details if you are a visa national.
The list of visa nationals requiring entry clearance to the UK can be found here.
What should I do once I receive my BRP?
You should check the details and arrange for the Home Office to be notified within 10 days if there are any errors.
What should I do if my BRP is lost or stolen, or my details change?
If your BRP is lost or stolen, or if there is any change to name, gender, nationality, or a significant change to facial appearance, this must be reported to the Home Office within three months. A replacement BRP must be requested, also within three months, unless the BRP was due to expire within three months and you do not intend to stay in the UK or return after this time.
If your BRP is lost or stolen, you must also report this to the police.
If you are abroad, you must apply for a ‘replacement BRP visa’ before returning to the UK.
You must report if your residential address changes, which you can do here.
Once you have received a new BRP, you should cut your old one into quarters and return it in an envelope to the address advised in your Home Office notification letter.
My immigration permission is less than six months. Will I still receive a BRP?
No. You’ll usually only get a BRP if you are not eligible for an eVisa and you:
- Apply to come to the UK for longer than six months;
- Extend your visa to longer than six months’ stay in total;
- Apply to settle in the UK; or
- Wish to transfer a long-term immigration permission (e.g. as a settled person) from an endorsement in a passport to a BRP.
What do I need to do if my BRP is due to expire?
If your immigration permission is also due to expire on the same date, you should make an application for further immigration permission.
If you are settled or your BRP is due to expire more than three months before your immigration permission, you should apply online for a BRP replacement. An exception to this is that if your BRP is due to expire on 31 December 2024, you will not need to apply for a BRP replacement. This is because the Home Office has confirmed it plans to enable BRP holders to prove their immigration permission online before the end of 2024 and will be publishing information in early 2024 on how to do this.
What is a BRC and when will I get one?
A Biometric Residence Card (‘BRC’) is different from a BRP. BRCs apply to those applying to the EU Settlement Scheme or for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit to join family in the UK. For more information on BRCs, please click here.
What proof of my immigration status will I receive if I am coming to the UK on a Permitted Paid Engagement?
If you are a visa national, you must make an application for a visa before arriving in the UK. You will receive a visa vignette (sticker) valid for up to one month. If you are a non-visa national, you should ensure you see a Border Force officer when you arrive in the UK and should receive a wet ink stamp in your passport allowing you entry to the UK for up to one month.