Ministers are set to delay the full transition to eVisas, initially planned for 1 January 2025, due to mounting concerns over system glitches that could leave residents stranded abroad or unable to prove their right to remain in the UK. This delay highlights significant challenges in modernising the UK’s immigration framework, with critics urging the government to resolve these issues before fully phasing out physical documentation like biometric residence permits and adopting the new eVisa System.
Under the proposed system, physical documentation such as biometric residence permits would no longer be valid as proof of residency, requiring individuals to rely solely on eVisas. However, reports of error messages and difficulties accessing eVisas have raised significant alarms. Critics argue that these issues, including challenges in integrating disparate government databases, should have been anticipated and resolved well in advance, further highlighting concerns about the system’s readiness for full implementation.
The shift to eVisas was initially hailed as a landmark move towards modernising the UK’s immigration system. Introduced under the previous Conservative government, the initiative aimed to strengthen border security, reduce fraud risks, and eliminate the dependency on physical documents. As former legal migration minister Tom Pursglove remarked during the scheme’s announcement: “This programme ensures firm control over who comes here to live, work, or study while strengthening border security and preventing abuse of the immigration system.”
Despite its potential benefits, the system has been fraught with technical issues. Many applicants have encountered error messages when trying to access their eVisas, leaving them unable to prove their immigration status. Further technical challenges have exacerbated the situation. Many individuals have reported being unable to access their eVisas despite receiving notifications that their status was ready. This leaves them unable to verify their immigration status online, creating stress and uncertainty. These issues were extensively discussed in our previous article, ‘Are Technical Issues Putting Millions at Risk in the eVisa Transition?‘ highlighting the struggle many faces in verifying their legal status, leading to further frustration.
Seema Malhotra, the Minister for Migration and Citizenship, acknowledged the challenges and the need for a more reliable approach. She stated, “While digital systems have the potential to improve efficiency, we must ensure that they are accessible and robust. It’s vital that no resident is left vulnerable due to technical issues or a lack of physical alternatives.” The Guardian
The delay also takes into account the complications of launching such a critical system on 1 January, a bank holiday across the world when addressing any unforeseen technical problems would be difficult.
Although the government has introduced eVisas as a measure to enhance border security and reduce fraud, the transition should not come at the expense of accessibility and user experience. This delay highlights the pressing need for a balance between technological progress and ensuring the system is accessible for all. To ensure the eVisa system meets the needs of all individuals, particularly vulnerable groups, addressing these technical challenges must remain a top priority.
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