World Immigration News

UK rollout of eVisas could leave non-EU migrants ‘vulnerable’

Release Date: 2025-01-04
Media: The Guardian
Summary: The UK government is progressing with the rollout of the eVisa system to prove the residency rights of non-EU migrants, but campaigners warn that essential checks have not been completed. The Home Office has yet to conduct a full equality impact assessment (EIA) for the eVisa transition, which began in April 2024. The eVisa will replace biometric residence permits (BRPs) for non-EU migrants to prove their rights to enter and live in the UK.

Campaigners are concerned that the shift to eVisas could cause difficulties for older residents and those with limited technological skills or unreliable internet access. There are also concerns about cybersecurity risks, as migrants with lower digital literacy might be more vulnerable to cybercrimes, exposing their immigration status to hacking.

The transition deadline has been postponed from the end of 2024 to March 2025 due to slow adoption and technical issues. The Home Office has yet to publish a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) and has relied on previous assessments from the EU Settlement Scheme. Critics argue that the government has not sufficiently considered the impact of eVisas on non-EU migrants, with some suggesting that the policy rollout is inadequate and lacks consideration for people of color and other protected groups.

The Home Office claims that it is continually reviewing equality impact assessments to ensure that the eVisa rollout is fair and accessible. However, concerns remain about the system's i
mplementation and the uncertainty it creates for migrants.
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