Return flight to UK with Indefinite Leave to Remain
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Beijing, Paris, Edinburgh
Programs: Marco Polo Diamond, Flying Blue Platinum for Life, GHA Black, IHG Platinum
Posts: 450
Return flight to UK with Indefinite Leave to Remain
Good afternoon, I am not sure that this is the right place for this question, but I always value the collective expertise of the BA forum so I thought I'd give it a try (plus I noticed a visa related question here a day or so ago anyway). The example I give is in respect of China but, as you’ll see, the scenario will apply in certain circumstances whatever the country.
My question relates to checking in at Beijing for a BA flight to London, the passenger being my wife. She is a Chinese passport holder and she also has Indefinite Leave to Remain ("ILR") in the UK. So far so good, but the issue that preoccupies me is that her ILR status is proved by her BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) which has a validity date of 31 December 2024. (Note that it is the card that expires, not her leave to remain). This is because the Home Office are moving to a E-visa arrangement to replace the "hard" BRP cards, with effect from 2025 and – for reasons that I can’t understand – decided a few years ago that all BRPs would carry an expiry date at the end of 2024 rather than being open ended as previously.
I am thinking ahead to our next trip to China and I am a bit concerned about what will happen to her at check-in to return from Beijing to the UK, in particular whether Timatic will block BA from checking her in. This scenario will obviously become more significant the nearer we get to the end of 2024, and will of course apply in every country and will concern everyone living here with ILR. I have no idea how the Home Office intend to roll out the E-visa and how this will filter through to check-in agents worldwide.
Just wondering if any of you have encountered this issue so far, and - if so - what happened. Thanks for any comments!
My question relates to checking in at Beijing for a BA flight to London, the passenger being my wife. She is a Chinese passport holder and she also has Indefinite Leave to Remain ("ILR") in the UK. So far so good, but the issue that preoccupies me is that her ILR status is proved by her BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) which has a validity date of 31 December 2024. (Note that it is the card that expires, not her leave to remain). This is because the Home Office are moving to a E-visa arrangement to replace the "hard" BRP cards, with effect from 2025 and – for reasons that I can’t understand – decided a few years ago that all BRPs would carry an expiry date at the end of 2024 rather than being open ended as previously.
I am thinking ahead to our next trip to China and I am a bit concerned about what will happen to her at check-in to return from Beijing to the UK, in particular whether Timatic will block BA from checking her in. This scenario will obviously become more significant the nearer we get to the end of 2024, and will of course apply in every country and will concern everyone living here with ILR. I have no idea how the Home Office intend to roll out the E-visa and how this will filter through to check-in agents worldwide.
Just wondering if any of you have encountered this issue so far, and - if so - what happened. Thanks for any comments!
Last edited by DernierVirage; Mar 27, 2024 at 1:47 pm Reason: Typos corrected
#2
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 397
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Beijing, Paris, Edinburgh
Programs: Marco Polo Diamond, Flying Blue Platinum for Life, GHA Black, IHG Platinum
Posts: 450
#4
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 397
My wife is in the same position.
The UK Home Office will send an invitation out to sign up for a UKVI account later this year for everyone who holds a BRP that expires 31/12/2024.
This will contain the visa status, right to work, remain etc etc.
You will be able to share this.
I expect we'll need to print them out etc.
We are looking to travel to NZ and would be in the exact same position on Jan 1st 2025.
So far, not worried.
PS. Recent updates to that UKGov page.
21 March 2024
Added what to do if you have another physical document or a biometric residence card.
18 March 2024
Updated content to add more information about people with biometric residence permits
The UK Home Office will send an invitation out to sign up for a UKVI account later this year for everyone who holds a BRP that expires 31/12/2024.
This will contain the visa status, right to work, remain etc etc.
You will be able to share this.
I expect we'll need to print them out etc.
We are looking to travel to NZ and would be in the exact same position on Jan 1st 2025.
So far, not worried.
PS. Recent updates to that UKGov page.
21 March 2024
Added what to do if you have another physical document or a biometric residence card.
18 March 2024
Updated content to add more information about people with biometric residence permits
Last edited by stephenjc; Mar 27, 2024 at 11:19 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Beijing, Paris, Edinburgh
Programs: Marco Polo Diamond, Flying Blue Platinum for Life, GHA Black, IHG Platinum
Posts: 450
Thanks a lot - I hadn't realised that this link had been updated so I'd better go through it all again since my last reading was a while back. It's good to know someone in the same position !!!
Are you thinking of doing a trip this year? I am maybe over worrying, but am wondering what happens this year as we approach 31 December and how check in will do.
Are you thinking of doing a trip this year? I am maybe over worrying, but am wondering what happens this year as we approach 31 December and how check in will do.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 397
Sign up for updates, you'll get an email each time the page is updated.
Yeah, NZ over Xmas coming home around NY Eve, so we'd be bang smack in the middle of it.
Hopefully it's all straight forward, especially as EU Citizens have been using the eVisa and UKVI for 5 or 6 years.
Yeah, NZ over Xmas coming home around NY Eve, so we'd be bang smack in the middle of it.
Hopefully it's all straight forward, especially as EU Citizens have been using the eVisa and UKVI for 5 or 6 years.
#7
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 876
Hi
Digital status has been around for a while (for example Hong Kong Nationals who have BNO status, have this electronically and it shows up on the immigration officer’s screen). Many other work visas are shown digitally as well, and EU settled Status so it’s a system that’s been around for a few years rather than a brand new system.
So I wouldn’t worry. Once it’s on the system then Timatic will pick it up.
Digital status has been around for a while (for example Hong Kong Nationals who have BNO status, have this electronically and it shows up on the immigration officer’s screen). Many other work visas are shown digitally as well, and EU settled Status so it’s a system that’s been around for a few years rather than a brand new system.
So I wouldn’t worry. Once it’s on the system then Timatic will pick it up.
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,757
Should I be concerned that we have never heard of an eVisa? My OH has ILR status which she received in 1999. She still carries her now-expired foreign passport with her when she travels as it has the stamp in it. Does she need now to apply for the eVisa?
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Beijing, Paris, Edinburgh
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Sign up for updates, you'll get an email each time the page is updated.
Yeah, NZ over Xmas coming home around NY Eve, so we'd be bang smack in the middle of it.
Hopefully it's all straight forward, especially as EU Citizens have been using the eVisa and UKVI for 5 or 6 years.
Yeah, NZ over Xmas coming home around NY Eve, so we'd be bang smack in the middle of it.
Hopefully it's all straight forward, especially as EU Citizens have been using the eVisa and UKVI for 5 or 6 years.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Beijing, Paris, Edinburgh
Programs: Marco Polo Diamond, Flying Blue Platinum for Life, GHA Black, IHG Platinum
Posts: 450
Hi
Digital status has been around for a while (for example Hong Kong Nationals who have BNO status, have this electronically and it shows up on the immigration officer’s screen). Many other work visas are shown digitally as well, and EU settled Status so it’s a system that’s been around for a few years rather than a brand new system.
So I wouldn’t worry. Once it’s on the system then Timatic will pick it up.
Digital status has been around for a while (for example Hong Kong Nationals who have BNO status, have this electronically and it shows up on the immigration officer’s screen). Many other work visas are shown digitally as well, and EU settled Status so it’s a system that’s been around for a few years rather than a brand new system.
So I wouldn’t worry. Once it’s on the system then Timatic will pick it up.
#12
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 876
#13
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,658
If you need a backup plan, consider getting a visa for a third country such as Türkiye ($60 and easy to get). At least then you would have another chance if things go pear shaped in China. It assumes you can get a last minute flight to IST of course. Having a backup plan may take some of the stress out of the situation, even if there is a very low chance of needing it.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Beijing, Paris, Edinburgh
Programs: Marco Polo Diamond, Flying Blue Platinum for Life, GHA Black, IHG Platinum
Posts: 450
If you need a backup plan, consider getting a visa for a third country such as Türkiye ($60 and easy to get). At least then you would have another chance if things go pear shaped in China. It assumes you can get a last minute flight to IST of course. Having a backup plan may take some of the stress out of the situation, even if there is a very low chance of needing it.
#15
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Mucci Chevalier des Internautes Amables; BAEC
Posts: 971
I live in the UK under ILR and have never acquired the biometric pass. I travel every week, more or less, and never travel with my stamped passport (long expired). Checking in is rarely an issue, if ever, although I am on a commonwealth passport. The only issue I’ve ever had was as Madrid, when they would not let me check in, and I did not happen to have any other flights in my bookings. This was solved by purchasing a ticket out of the UK a week later, immediately cancelled. Perhaps I am blasé as I use the e-gates, but I do find out-station staff less fastidious, with UK border staff able to access the system. Just my experience.