Migrant rights groups have raised serious concerns about British residents potentially being barred from returning to the UK due to the transition to digital visas, despite the government’s recent decision to extend the deadline. The Home Office announced last week that the transition to eVisas as the official proof of British residency rights would now take effect at the end of March 2025, pushing back the original deadline of December 31, 2024.
While the extension has been welcomed by some, critics warn that insufficient communication to overseas airport staff and border officials could result in British residents being denied travel and stranded abroad.
“Based on previous incidents, we are confident this message will not reach every carrier, check-in staff member, and boarding gate employee in time,” said the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) and EU citizens’ rights group, the3million, in a joint letter to the Home Office.
The groups highlighted that under current rules, airlines and transport operators are financially responsible for passengers they transport to the UK who are subsequently denied entry. This policy often leads carriers to deny boarding to individuals unless they have explicit permission from UK authorities.
Monique Hawkins, policy and research officer for the3million, described the measures as inadequate: “We need assurances that individuals stranded abroad through no fault of their own will not bear the financial or emotional burden of resolving these issues. The government must take responsibility for ensuring airlines allow travel for those with expired documents.”
Technical Issues Plague eVisa System
The eVisa system, already in use for EU citizens in the UK, has been criticized for its technical glitches. Hawkins noted that these errors have caused individuals to lose job opportunities, housing, and access to essential services.
Despite the Home Office launching a 24/7 “support hub” for transport operators to verify passenger immigration status, the helpline for passengers operates only during British daytime and frequently experiences hour-long wait times.
According to the Home Office, 3.1 million people accessed their eVisas through UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) accounts this year. However, it remains unclear how many individuals still need to transition. After March 2025, old biometric residence permits (BRPs) will no longer be accepted as proof of immigration status, although older passport ink stamps and visa vignettes will remain valid.
Josephine Whitaker-Yilmaz, of migrant rights charity Praxis, emphasized the real-life consequences of these technical failures: “Government departments have denied parents access to child benefits, and banks have refused to accept eVisas as proof of status. These errors can push families into poverty or even homelessness.”
Digital Barriers and Limited Access
Not all individuals have the technological means to access their eVisas. Some lack smartphones or email accounts, while others face challenges linking their documents to their UKVI accounts.
“Even when individuals receive confirmation emails, they may still encounter issues accessing their eVisa due to glitches,” explained Sara Alsherif, programme manager at Open Rights Group. She added that the lack of clear guidelines and the discontinuation of new BRPs have left many people unable to prove their right to work, rent, or return to the UK.
Campaigners argue that the government’s delayed implementation only prolongs existing issues without addressing the root problems. “The Home Office’s decision adds further confusion and risks leaving individuals in an administrative limbo,” Alsherif concluded.
