About 1 million UK residents are yet to secure their eVisa
As December 31, 2024 deadline nears
As the deadline for UK eVisa applications approaches, approximately one million people in the UK have yet to secure their digital visas, which are essential for proving their right to live and work there.
With less than a week left until the December 31, 2024, cut-off, concerns are mounting about the potential consequences for those who fail to register.
The eVisa programme, initiated by the previous UK government, provides a digital alternative for British residents who are not citizens or passport holders. This system is particularly crucial as the UK prepares to phase out physical entry visas and residence permits altogether, an unprecedented move globally.
During a recent session of the British parliament’s cross-party home affairs committee, British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper revealed that while around four million people currently hold physical residence permits—known as biometric residence permits (BRPs)—only about 3.1 million have successfully transitioned to eVisas. This leaves many individuals at risk of losing their legal status.
According to the Home Office, most BRPs and EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) biometric residence cards (BRCs) expire on December 31, 2024, and anyone who uses a BRP is urged to access their eVisa at www.gov.uk/eVisa
The rollout of the eVisa system in the UK has been beset by challenges, including reports of improper benefits terminations and uncertainties regarding the functionality of eVisas for re-entry into the UK after international travel.
To mitigate these issues, the UK government has extended a grace period until March 2025 for individuals relying on physical documentation to return to the UK.
In response to ongoing problems, the Home Office has established a resolution centre dedicated to assisting users with eVisa-related issues. An error unit has also been set up to address applicants’ problems.
Seema Malhotra, the Minister for Migration and Citizenship, stated on December 4, 2024, that some customers had yet to complete their visa applications. She noted that a few users had experienced difficulties, such as their immigration status not appearing correctly.
The UK government has also announced that late applications will be accepted after the December 31, 2024, deadline for those who have not yet applied.
However, advocates for refugees and migrants express deep concern about the implications of these delays. Nick Beales, head of campaigning for the Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London, warned that many individuals who cannot prove their immigration status may face severe repercussions, including wrongful job suspensions and denials of essential benefits.
“Yvette Cooper’s admission that around one million people have yet to secure eVisas just days before biometric residence permits cease being valid should, therefore, cause grave concern,” he stated. The risk of destitution and losing vital family income hangs in the balance.
A spokesperson for the Home Office defended the eVisa transition, highlighting the new system’s advantages. “eVisas cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, and they enable visa holders to prove their immigration rights instantly and securely,” the spokesperson asserted. Over 3.1 million individuals have accessed their eVisa, with many more registering daily.
For BRP holders who have not yet transitioned, the Home Office has assured that expired BRPs can be used to quickly create a UK visa and immigration account after December 31, 2024. This will facilitate access to their eVisa and online resources to prove their right to work and rent.
Hero image: The eVisa programme provides a digital alternative for British residents who are not British citizens or passport holders. Credit: William Warby
