eVisa Concerns, Calls for Refugee Reforms and Other Updates

Concerns over new UK eVisa Scheme as Hundreds of Complaints Lodged and Deadline Shifted

Numerous concerns over the UK’s new digital eVisa scheme have been voiced as it has been revealed that the scheme has garnered hundreds of complaints during 2024.

The Home Office Migration and Citizenship minister, Seema Malhotra MP, reported that the government had received 441 individual complaints about the new system between 28 August and 15 December.

Concerns regarding the new system include the lack of a quality impact assessment being completed assessing potential issues, potential risks of UK residents being stranded abroad, and fears of a “digital Windrush scandal” if people are unable to prove their right to remain in the UK.

Furthermore, the scheme has been criticised for potentially ostracising older residents who may be less confident with technology or do not have access to a stable internet connection. The online system has also been criticised for being glitchy and prone to error.

Although around 3.1 million people have reportedly applied for eVisas, around 1 million have yet to do so, as reported by the Guardian in December 2024.

In response to the criticisms, the government pushed back the transition deadline from 31 December 2024 to the end of March 2025.

This means that biometric residence permits (BRPs) and EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) biometric residence cards will remain valid until this date, as long as the holder still has valid status in the UK. Expired residence cards and permits were permitted for travel into the UK until the transition date, 31 March 2025.

Those who have not yet registered for an eVisa have been urged to do so via their UKVI account.

Home Office Urged to Create Special Refugee Visas to Prevent Channel Crossing Deaths

The Refugee Council have urged the Home Office to take decisive action to address migrant deaths in the English Channel, including piloting a special refugee visa for 10,000 of the most vulnerable.

In a recently-published report titled ‘Deaths in the Channel: What Needs to Change’, the organisation state that at least 69 individuals died while attempting to cross the English Channel in 2024, which is the highest figure on record and greater than the total number of deaths between 2019 and 2023.

An estimated 37,000 people crossed the English Channel from France into the UK in 2024.

The Refugee Council have stated that refugee visas should be focused on migrants from countries with a high refugee grant rate, such as Sudan, Afghanistan and Eritrea, stating that: “As 2024 progressed and the number of deaths increased there was a danger of loss of life becoming normalised; an acceptance that this is something that happens.”

The report published also recommends the UK government to improve search and rescue operations along the French coast, as well as allowing child refugees to bring close family members to join them in the UK.

The report states that if further action is not taken to reduce irregular crossing and protect the safety of refugees, there may be a risk of greater numbers of deaths occurring.

Conservative Party’s Rhetoric and Policies Help Stoke Riots, Says Equalities Committee Chair

The chair of the government’s Equalities Committee has said that the Conservative party’s focus on Channel crossings and delays in processing asylum claims contributed to last year’s August riots.

Sarah Owen, Labour MP for Luton North, has also stated that the influence of the far-right Reform UK party is putting pressure on lawmakers to strengthen communities.

The Equalities Committee, headed by Owen, is launching an inquiry into improving community cohesion throughout the UK in the wake of the riots.

The unrest saw a number of violent incidents occur throughout the UK, including attacks on mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers, after three young children were killed at a dance class in Southport, Merseyside.

Owen further commented that the backlog of asylum claims that built up during the Conservative party’s governance was “deliberate” and a “political choice” that may have contributed to the unrest.

The inquiry is currently in the process of gathering evidence, which the public are able to contribute towards. These include on the following topics:

• Barriers and threats to community cohesion in the UK
• The impact of social media on community cohesion
• Solutions to strengthen community cohesion
• Encouraging community cohesion in schools

Evidence to support the inquiry were submitted before the deadline on 31 January 2025 via the committee’s page on the parliament website.

How Can IAS Help With Your UK Visa Application?

IAS have a team of immigration advisers and caseworkers experienced in the field of UK immigration law.

Regardless of where you’re coming from or what your chosen immigration pathway is, we can help you with almost all UK immigration and visa cases, using our years of experience and compassionate customer service to help get you to where you need to go.

We also offer fast-track and urgent application packages if you need to submit your application to a deadline.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help on your situation today. Call us on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or reach out to us online.