Immigration Detention Reports, New Polls and eVisa Transitions – UK January 2026 Updates

Government Scheme Fails to Protect Torture Victims, Says Charity

The UK government’s ‘one in, one out’ scheme is failing to protect victims of torture and human trafficking, according to a new report.

Medical Justice UK, which campaigns against medical mistreatment in immigration detention, have called for the ‘one in, one out’ scheme to be scrapped and for small boat arrivals to be allowed to have their asylum claims processed in the UK.

After surveying 33 detainees who were due to be returned to France, the charity found that 18 of them showed clinical evidence of torture or trafficking. However, its report stated that clinical safeguards were “failing to protect these people,” adding that: “For many people, detention in the UK – not past trauma – was described as the moment when they lost hope. From a clinical perspective this is dangerous.”

The charity stated that individuals in detention have been variously subjected to severe violence, intimidation and death threats from people smugglers, organised gangs, police and border forces.

Over 200 individuals have been forcibly returned to France since August 2025 as part of the ‘one in, one out’ deal. A similar number have also been legally brought into the UK from France.

A spokesperson for Medical Justice UK stated: “What sets apart the mistreatment of clients detained under this scheme is the combination of an especially high proportion of trafficking and torture survivors who are at higher risk of harm in detention, alarmingly high levels of suicidality and the fact that almost all of them experienced dysfunction of the clinical safeguarding system. We fear the government wants to remove these people come what may.”

In response, a Home Office spokesperson stated: “Our landmark one in, one out scheme means we can send those who arrive on small boats straight back to France – a safe country in which any protection claims can be, and are being, considered. The welfare of people detained is of the utmost importance and we are committed to ensuring that detention and removal are carried out with dignity.”

Two-thirds of UK Mistakenly Think Immigration is Rising, Says Poll

Two-thirds of UK voters mistakenly think that immigration is on the rise, contrary to official statistics, according to latest polling data.

In a report by the Guardian, voters also stated that they have no confidence in the government’s ability to maintain control of the UK’s borders.

The poll, conducted by think tank More in Common UK, found “broad public cynicism” in public attitudes towards migration. Although net migration to the UK fell to the lowest levels since before the pandemic in the year ending June 2025, 67% of respondents believe that it has instead increased.

A further four out of five Reform voters also believed that immigration had increased instead of decreased.

The data comes in light of Keir Starmer’s increasingly strict approach to immigration, with several new policies and amendments to UK law intended to reduce overall net migration.

Despite the new measures introduced, 74% of voters have stated they have “little or no confidence” in the government to manage migration levels, reflecting a 4% increase from May 2025.

Luke Tryl, More in Common’s executive director, stated: “The Labour government is facing a growing credibility gap on migration… That tells us that numbers alone are not enough. Until that credibility gap closes, Labour’s migration migraine will persist.”

eVisas Set to Replace All Physical Visas in 2026

The Home Office have updated their timeline on the transition to eVisas.

According to an official update, the UK will stop issuing physical visa stickers entirely “later in 2026”, with some applicants having already been granted eVisas.

The Home Office have also reported that from 12 January 2026, “most people” who have applied for a Visitor visa, and some other visas, will be told that they can obtain an eVisa as well as a physical sticker in their passport.

In addition, most individuals with a valid Visitor visa sticker issued before 12 January 2026 will be able to access their eVisa through their UKVI account.

This is the latest in a series of transitional arrangements being made for the full switchover to electronic visas, intended to modernise and streamline the immigration system.

Many individuals have already been urged to create or access their UKVI accounts in order to view their eVisas, including those in the UK on work or study visas or with indefinite leave to remain status.

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.