The United Kingdom (UK) Government has announced a significant change to the timeline for its eVisa rollout.
The eVisa system is the UK’s digital immigration system designed to replace physical documents.
It was initially set to fully roll out by January 2025, but the timeline has been extended to March 2025.
This adjustment addresses concerns that a rushed transition could harm vulnerable groups and repeat mistakes from the Windrush scandal.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is a digital record of one’s immigration status, allowing people to prove their right to live, work, or study in the UK.
This includes those settled and pre-settled under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
It allows them to prove their rights without needing physical documents, such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), passport wet ink stamps, and vignettes.
The UK’s eVisa system aims to enhance security and efficiency, making it easier to verify immigration status online.
All individuals holding physical immigration documents to prove their rights in the UK must switch to an eVisa.
Switching to an eVisa involves creating an account on the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) platform.
It is free and will not affect their permissions or the other conditions attached to it.
Individuals, employers, landlords, and banks must use this platform to prove and check one’s immigration status.
The UKVI account must be linked to a valid passport to prevent issues when traveling internationally.
The new eVisa rollout timeline
Initially, BRPs and other physical immigration documents were to remain valid only until 31 December 2024.
The newly announced timeline will extend their validity until at least 31 March 2025, which will be kept under review.
This means that BRPs that expire on or after 31 December 2024 will be accepted as valid evidence of permission to travel.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship Seema Malhotra stated that this “greater flexibility” aims to ease the eVisa transition for those traveling internationally without compromising border security.
It seeks to provide “confidence and reassurance” to immigrants and avoid unnecessary delays when proving their status to carriers.
However, it’s important to note that this does not affect how the UK Border Force conducts its checks.
Over 3.1 million people, mostly with BRPs, have successfully transitioned to eVisas from March to November this year.
Those who have yet to switch are encouraged to do so before the end of the year to make the most of the benefits of using an eVisa.
Reasons for the eVisa rollout timeline change
Advocacy groups have raised concerns about the system’s readiness and impact on vulnerable populations.
Many argued that elderly immigrants and those with limited digital skills and no Internet access would have difficulty switching to an eVisa.
Officials warned that the original rushed timeline could leave some people unable to prove their immigration status, creating unnecessary hardship.
This is similar to the Windrush scandal, uncovered in 2018, that affected many Caribbean Commonwealth citizens.
Many of them who are legally living in the UK faced deportation or were denied access to services because they couldn’t prove their immigration status.
Malhotra has listened to feedback about the eVisa implementation from visa holders, stakeholders, and MPs.
She found that individuals who lost their BRPs or those transitioning to BRPs and legacy documents experienced difficulties.
“For migrant communities, there is the real fear of something going wrong with Home Office systems and the ongoing impact when it does on every aspect of your life,” she told The Guardian.
More improvements to the eVisa transition process
To avoid another Windrush scandal, the UK Government has improved the transition to eVisas for many who still hold physical immigration documents besides BRPs.
The new No Time Limit (NTL) application process for those who hold immigration statuses besides BRPs makes it easier for them to switch to an eVisa.
A new form now automatically creates a UKVI account for users, removing the need for an extra step to access their eVisa.
Caseworkers will be made available to manually create accounts for those without valid ID documents and those using the old process.
Legacy document holders, or those with ink-stamped passports or vignette stickers, can still use these documents to prove their rights.
Still, the government encourages legacy document holders to transition to eVisas via the NTL process to enjoy its benefits.
Call for all concerned to switch to eVisas now
Despite the millions already having their eVisas, the UK Government is urging everyone who hasn’t yet made the switch to do so immediately.
The Home Office has launched a public awareness campaign urging those with immigration status in the UK to switch to eVisas as soon as possible.
It has set up a dedicated helpline to assist individuals in navigating the process of creating a UKVI account and sharing their status with employers, landlords, or service providers.
The UK Government has also invested up to £4 million to provide additional hands-on support to advocacy and community organizations.
They will help vulnerable groups, including those unfamiliar with technology or struggling with English.
Concerns about vulnerable populations remain
The decision to extend the eVisa rollout timeline comes with lessons learned from the past.
Advocacy groups welcomed the eVisa rollout extension, but many still fear it would not be enough.
Critics argued that the transition to the eVisa system needs clearer communication and better support.
The system must work for everyone to guarantee that no one will be unable to prove their status.