Two weeks into the UK’s new electronic visa (eVisa) system, travelers are already facing challenges proving their immigration status when reentering the country. Many groups warned the Home Office about these potential issues long before the transition.
Since December 31, 2024, millions living in the UK can no longer rely on physical immigration documents, which have been replaced by a real-time, online-only immigration status. Although the Home Office has issued eVisas for several years to various groups, including EU citizens and Hong Kong residents, paper documents are now a thing of the past.
Reports from The Independent highlight that travelers from Germany, France, Malawi, Egypt, and Cyprus encountered difficulties showing proof of their immigration status at airports. In the UK, people faced issues with GPs refusing to accept the share codes from their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) digital accounts, which are supposed to validate their immigration status with employers and landlords. Refugees, in particular, struggle to link their passports to their online visas and some cannot even access their UKVI accounts due to lack of information from the Home Office.
Civil society organizations have raised alarms about these complications. Groups like the Open Rights Group have urged the Home Office to introduce simple solutions like QR codes for status validation instead of relying solely on a flawed online system. Many refugees await their eVisas, preventing them from working, opening bank accounts, or accessing housing. The Home Office has disclaimed responsibility for any errors or losses experienced while using a UKVI account, which suggests they recognize the flaws in the eVisa system.
In response, the Home Office maintains that eVisas enhance security and efficiency. They claim that the system mitigates the risk of lost or tampered documents. Migration and Citizenship Minister Seema Malhotra acknowledged the challenges some users face and pointed to provisions allowing airlines to accept alternative forms of documentation until March 2025.
Previous warnings from the Open Rights Group highlighted the online-only nature of the eVisa system as being susceptible to errors. The system fetches data from various databases to determine a person’s status, but users often see mixed results. They may face uncertainty during status checks, which can lead to incorrect decisions that disproportionately impact vulnerable populations.
Criticism of the system comes from organizations like The3million, which represent EU citizens in the UK. They describe the online approach as flawed, emphasizing that while the intent is to reflect real-time status, it leads to systemic issues that leave many unable to verify their rights.
The design issues persist despite advocacy for simplification. The system’s reliance on constantly pulling immigration records is problematic, creating unnecessary burdens for individuals already coping with complex immigration procedures. As a result, marginalized people are increasingly left vulnerable, especially those who may not have stable internet access.
Support groups indicate that the transition to eVisas highlights a broader phenomenon known as the “hostile environment,” which intensifies the pressure on migrants. Some individuals are caught in a cycle of fear and confusion, feeling as though they bear the responsibilities of institutional processes with little support.
Migrants’ Rights Network representatives express deep concerns about the mental and bureaucratic strain that the shift to digital visas imposes. Many people are forced to choose between basic needs and affording data access to comply with the digital demands imposed on them.
Critics suspect the government’s push for digital status is more about surveillance than support, highlighting a growing trend of scrutinizing the movements of migrants and vulnerable populations. The anxiety and stress associated with keeping one’s immigration status viable online often overshadow any purported convenience the eVisa system may offer.