The UK’s move to a fully digital immigration system is finally here. For most migrants, including many South Asian families in Scotland, that means saying goodbye to physical BRP cards and vignette stickers. and hello to an online eVisa.

If you are on a UK work, study or family route. or you have settled status. your partner and children will usually now receive an eVisa as well, with their own UKVI accounts.

For Scottish Indian families this change affects everything from proving status to an employer in Glasgow, to boarding a flight from Hyderabad to Edinburgh with kids in tow.

Confusion at check-in is a real concern for families travelling between India and the UK.
We cover common airline issues and document checks here.

This guide walks through what has changed for dependants and family members, what to watch out for.

1. Quick recap. what is an eVisa and who gets one

An eVisa is a digital record of a person’s identity and immigration status stored online. It shows, for example, which visa they hold, when it expires. and whether they can work, study or rent in the UK.

It is gradually replacing.

• Biometric residence permits, BRPs
• Biometric residence cards, BRCs
• Physical visa vignettes and ink stamps in passports

You will usually get an eVisa if.

• You are granted a visa for more than 6 months, for example Skilled Worker, Student, Health and Care, family routes
• You get indefinite leave to remain, settlement
• In some cases, you are on a shorter work or family route where eVisas are being rolled out

Importantly. dependants, including children, also get their own eVisas, not just the main applicant.

The shift to a fully digital immigration system affects thousands of South Asian families in Scotland. For wider context on migrant life in Scotland, see our community insights at ScottishIndian.com.

2. Dependants in plain language. who counts and on which visas

For most common South Asian migration routes. “dependants” usually means.

• Your husband, wife or civil partner
• Your unmarried partner, if you meet the rules
• Your children under 18, sometimes over 18 if they are already in the UK as your dependant

Examples where family can be dependants.

• Skilled Worker or Health and Care visas, common for NHS doctors, nurses and IT professionals
• Student visas, for example if you are doing a master’s at a Scottish university and meet the dependant rules
• Some other work and family routes

Each dependant makes their own visa application and, if successful, gets their own digital status, even if you applied together as a family.

3. The big change. from one BRP per family to one eVisa per person

Previously, many families were used to everyone having a plastic BRP card, or at least one main BRP plus a vignette sticker in the passport. That is no longer the case.

Key differences now.

• No new BRPs are being issued. all BRPs have been replaced by eVisas
• Every family member, including children, needs a separate UKVI account to access their eVisa
• Your dependant cannot sit under your login. they need their own email and login details, which you may manage for them if they are a child

Law firms and universities are stressing this point. if you have dependants in the UK, you must repeat the account setup process for each person in your household.

For a typical Scottish Indian family in Edinburgh.

One Skilled Worker main applicant at an NHS board. spouse plus two children at school

That usually means four UKVI accounts, four eVisas.

4. How your partner and children actually get their eVisa

The process is similar to the main applicant, with a few extra details.

Step 1. Apply as a dependant

Your partner and children need to apply in the correct dependant category for your visa route. For example, “Student visa. your partner and children” or “Skilled Worker dependant”.

They will need details like.

• Your application reference, GWF or UAN number
• Proof of relationship, marriage certificate, birth certificates, etc
• Financial evidence, where required

Step 2. Prove their identity

Dependants will usually either.

• Use the UK Immigration ID Check app to scan passport or BRP. and set up or sign in to a UKVI account, or
• Book a visa application centre appointment to give fingerprints and a photo, then link to their UKVI account later

Step 3. Decision and eVisa

If the application is approved.

• They will receive a decision email or letter explaining what to do next
• In many routes, especially newer applications, they will be given eVisa access details instead of a BRP or vignette

In some work dependant routes, applicants who use the app get an eVisa. while others may still get a vignette plus an eVisa as the system transitions.

5. Setting up separate UKVI accounts for family members

This is where many families get stuck, especially when juggling multiple email addresses, international travel. and school runs.

Who needs a UKVI account

You need an account if.

• You or your family member have a visa for more than 6 months, or
• You have settlement, indefinite leave to remain, or
• You are on most work or family routes, or a Student visa
• Dependants joining you are explicitly told to create their own account

Practical tips for South Asian families

• Use stable, long term emails. Gmail or Outlook you will not abandon
• For children, create a family managed email, for example [email protected], so you can receive all Home Office updates
• Keep a shared family record. write down every family member’s email, UKVI login, and any reference numbers, but store it securely. not on a random WhatsApp chat

Scottish universities and councils are already advising international families that each dependant needs a separate login, and to go through the full process for each person.

6. Everyday life with dependant eVisas. work, school, housing and travel

Once your family members’ eVisas are active, they will use them in day to day situations instead of waving a BRP card.

Work and income

• Partners on many work routes can work full time in most jobs, as long as their visa allows it
• To start a job. they give the employer a share code from the “prove your right to work” service, linked to their eVisa
• If employer HR teams in Scotland are confused. be prepared to show them the GOV.UK guidance on eVisas while they adjust

Renting a home in Scotland

Landlords or letting agents may still expect a BRP. but that is changing.

• Family members prove their right to rent using an online share code
• You may need to gently point agents towards the GOV.UK eVisa page if they have not kept up to date

School admissions and NHS

• Schools and GPs often used physical BRPs or visa vignettes for proof
• Now, they might accept printouts of your online status check, plus passports. policies vary, so check your local council or health board guidance

Travel between the UK and India

This is a big worry point for the Scottish Indian community.

• Airlines will check that your passport details are linked to a valid eVisa
• Make sure every family member’s passport number, expiry date and nationality in their UKVI account matches their actual passport before travelling
• Keep screenshots or printouts of the “view your status” page for each family member. this can help if airline staff are unfamiliar with eVisas

Rights groups have warned that confusion at airports or with carriers can leave people temporarily unable to board flights, especially during the transition away from BRPs.

7. Common problems for dependants. and how to avoid them

Recent research and media stories show several pain points in the digital only system, especially for families and vulnerable migrants.

Problem 1. Child or dependant does not have their own account

If you only created an account for the main applicant, your partner or children might not be able to prove their rights easily.

Fix

• Go to GOV.UK and follow the “set up a UKVI account to access your eVisa” steps separately for each dependant
• Use the ID Check app or a visa centre visit, as instructed

Problem 2. Wrong passport linked to their eVisa

If your dependant renews their passport in India and you forget to update the UKVI account.

• Airlines and border systems might not recognise their status
• This can cause panic at check in or on return to the UK

Fix

• Log in to each family member’s UKVI account and update personal details, especially passport information, before you travel.

Problem 3. No internet or smartphone at a crucial moment

eVisas assume you can go online quickly. but life does not always work that way.

Fix

• Keep physical printouts of the GOV.UK “prove your status” result for each family member
• Store share codes and account info in a secure password manager or notebook you travel with

Problem 4. Errors in the Home Office record

A small number of people have reported incorrect visa dates or conditions showing online. which can affect jobs, benefits and travel.

Fix

• Check each dependant’s eVisa carefully as soon as it goes live
• If anything looks wrong, contact the Home Office using the links on GOV.UK or get advice from an OISC registered adviser or immigration solicitor

8. Digital only status and exclusion. what the research is saying

Academic research and migrant organisations have warned that a digital only system can increase stress and exclusion, especially for people with low digital confidence, language barriers, or disabilities.

For Scottish Indian families. that might look like.

• Older parents, here as dependants, who are not comfortable with apps or online forms
• Worries about losing access to an email address or phone number linked to a UKVI account
• Anxiety about being unable to prove status at a critical moment, for example at the airport or when starting a new job

Community groups are encouraging families to help each other, for example.

• Adult children helping parents create and manage UKVI accounts
• Gurdwaras, mosques, temples and community centres organising digital support sessions
• Sharing reliable GOV.UK links instead of unverified social media rumours

9. What ScottishIndian.com readers should do next

If you or your family are on UK visas or have settlement.

1. Check every family member’s status
   • Do you all already have eVisas. or are you still using a BRP or vignette
   • Do you know when each person’s visa expires
2. Create or confirm UKVI accounts for dependants
   • Separate account per person, including children
   • Stable, long term email addresses
3. Review details before you travel
   • Passport numbers and expiry dates
   • Spelling of names, dates of birth
4. Keep proofs handy
   • Screenshots or printouts of each dependant’s online status
   • Notes of share codes when you generate them
5. Get proper advice if unsure
   • Use Citizens Advice, reputable student advisers, or qualified immigration lawyers for complex situations

The shift to eVisas is a huge change for everyone, but for migrant families it is especially personal. your children’s schooling, your partner’s job in Scotland, your ability to fly home to India for a wedding or emergency. all depend on a few digital records being correct.

Take time now to set up and check each dependant’s eVisa calmly, rather than rushing at the airport. Share accurate information with your community. and do not be shy about asking employers, landlords or officials to update their own understanding.