Digital Visa Rollout for Non-EU Migrants Delayed Amid Concerns
- The UK Home Office is facing pressure to extend the deadline for biometric residence permits following delays in the eVisa rollout.
- More than 4 million residents may risk losing their rights due to the upcoming year-end expiration.
- Critics argue that the government must take immediate action to ensure the rights of these individuals are protected.
The rollout of digital visas, or eVisas, for non-EU migrants in the UK has been postponed, raising concerns among immigration lawyers. Initially set to begin in June, the Home Office has now indicated that applications will not open until "later in 2024," while the deadline for transitioning to eVisas remains unchanged at December 31, 2024. Zoe Bantleman from the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) criticized the government for inheriting a chaotic digital immigration system, exacerbated by existing policies. The transition from biometric residence permits (BRPs) to eVisas is part of the Home Office's digitisation initiative, affecting over 4 million non-EU migrants. After the December deadline, BRPs will no longer serve as valid proof of immigration status, leaving many at risk of being unaware of the changes until it is too late. The lack of public awareness surrounding the new eVisa system has raised alarms, as many may not realize they need to act before the deadline. To obtain an eVisa, individuals must first create a digital account with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), a process currently limited to those invited by the Home Office. Bantleman expressed concern that the delay leaves millions uncertain about their immigration status, with no clear timeline for when they can transition online. In response to the situation, a Home Office spokesperson described the eVisa rollout as a phased launch aimed at modernizing the UK’s border and immigration system by 2025. However, the lack of communication and clarity continues to worry those affected.