As the UK prepares to fully transition to a digital immigration system by the end of this month, a concerning revelation has emerged—countless individuals who have the legal right to live and work in the country are unable to access their eVisas, leaving them without proof of their immigration status.
eVisa Errors Leave Thousands in Limbo
Sources within the Home Office have admitted that a significant number of people, particularly those on the “10-year route” visas, are encountering errors when attempting to view their eVisas online. Instead of being able to access their digital proof of status, they are met with a message stating: “We cannot show you proof of your status. This might be because your status is not ready to view in this service yet.”
This issue potentially affects hundreds of thousands of individuals, many of whom are people of color on low incomes. Without being able to provide evidence of their right to remain in the UK, these legal residents may face significant challenges in securing employment and housing.
A Looming Crisis
Human rights campaigners are sounding the alarm, warning that the problems with accessing eVisas could lead to a scandal on par with the Windrush crisis. Nick Beales, head of campaigning at Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London, emphasized the urgency of the situation:
“With the visa system going digital in one month, it is critical that everyone with immigration status can immediately access eVisas. Otherwise, it is certain that in 2025 tens of thousands of people on 3C leave will be wrongly suspended from work, deprived of disability benefits and denied other basic services.”
– Nick Beales, Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London
The 10-Year Route and 3C Leave
The group most affected by these eVisa issues are those on the “10-year route” visas. This route is known for its particularly harsh conditions, requiring individuals to pay substantial fees to renew their visas every few years. Many people on this route are granted “3C leave” while waiting for their visa renewals, which can take up to a year to process. During this time, they are allowed to continue working and renting properties.
However, the failure of the Home Office’s digital system to provide these individuals with the necessary eVisas has left them in a precarious position. Even though they have applied for and are entitled to receive their eVisas, the system errors are preventing them from accessing this crucial documentation.
Employers and Landlords Skeptical of Alternative Proof
The Home Office claims that there are alternative ways for people to prove their immigration status when their eVisas fail to work. However, reports suggest that some employers and landlords are hesitant to accept any evidence other than the official eVisa. This reluctance can significantly hinder an individual’s ability to secure work or housing, despite their legal right to do so.
Incremental Development Leads to Gaps
Home Office sources have attributed the current issues to the incremental development of the digital visa system. As a result, some individuals who applied for their visas before their digital record status was created do not have digital 3C leave, leaving them without access to their eVisas.
While the Home Office maintains that a digital-only immigration status will enhance security, the reality is that many people are struggling to navigate the new system. Beyond the errors preventing access to eVisas, concerns have also been raised about the ability of individuals to use the online system due to limited internet access or technical glitches.
The Need for Swift Action
As the UK moves closer to fully implementing its digital immigration system, it is paramount that the Home Office address these critical issues with urgency. Failure to ensure that all legal residents can access their eVisas and prove their right to remain in the country could lead to a crisis of significant proportions, echoing the devastating impact of the Windrush scandal.
The lives and livelihoods of countless individuals hang in the balance, and it is the responsibility of the UK government to take swift action to rectify these problems before they escalate further. Only by ensuring that the digital immigration system is fit for purpose and accessible to all those who need it can the UK hope to avoid another tragedy that undermines the rights and dignity of its legal residents.
