4 Million Sign up for eVisas, Record Number of Americans Apply for UK Citizenship, Migrant Removals and Other March 2025 Updates

Over 4 Million Sign Up for UK eVisa Scheme; New Deadline Confirmed

Over 4 million foreign nationals have created online accounts to access the new eVisa scheme, the Home Office has revealed.

In addition, the Home Office have confirmed that the new end date for the ‘grace period’ has been extended from 31 March 2025 to 1 June 2025.

Anyone who still hasn’t applied for the new eVisa scheme should do so before this new date in order to avoid any potential complications when travelling in and out of the country. Any unexpired biometric residence permits (BRP) or EUSS biometric residence cards (BRC) will remain valid for travel up until 1 June 2025.

The Home Office estimate that approximately 600,000 eligible people in the UK have yet to sign up to the scheme.

The rollout of the eVisa scheme has been beset with issues, with some individuals reportedly left stranded overseas as they have been unable to prove their immigration status, and refugees in the UK unable to access the system.

In an official press statement, the Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra MP, stated:

“Today’s encouraging eVisa statistics show that a significant majority of the immigration status holders who needed to take action have done so.

We continue to listen carefully to feedback, and our confirmation that expired immigration documents can be used for travel until June this year will help to further ensure the transition to eVisas continues to be as smooth as possible.”

Record Number of Americans Applied for UK Citizenship in 2024

2024 saw a record number of Americans applying for UK citizenship, with over 6,100 applications submitted.

This figure is the highest since records began 20 years ago. The figure also represents a 26% increase from 2023.

In addition, overall applications for UK citizenship rose by 6% to 251,000 in 2024, which is also the highest on record.

Reasons given for the increase in applications include Donald Trump’s re-election to the US presidency, which has reportedly spurred numerous Americans to seek alternative parts of the world to live in. The abolition of the UK’s non-dom status has also been cited as a motivating factor for some wealthy Americans to apply for citizenship before leaving the UK.

The effect of Americans applying for alternative citizenships has also been seen in Ireland, which reported a 46% rise in Americans applying for citizenship there.

Home Office Reports “Mass Surge” in Migrant Removals

The Home Office have reported the removal of over 19,000 migrants between 5 July 2024 and 31 January 2025, reflecting a wider push for immigration enforcement by the UK government.

Among those removed are “failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals and other immigration offenders” who have now been deported back to countries in countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. This group also includes those who have been found guilty of illegal working in raids carried out by law enforcement, which have increased in frequency by 38% compared to the previous year.

According to Home Office data, this is the highest rate of returns since 2018 and include the “four biggest returns charter flights in the UK’s history”, with over 850 individuals on board.

The efforts are a part of the UK government’s “Plan for Change” to deliver on immigration targets and reform the asylum system, including increased measures to target people smuggling gangs, illegal migrants and undocumented small boat crossings.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated:

“To rebuild public confidence in the immigration system, we need to show the rules are respected and enforced. That’s why, as part of the government’s Plan for Change, we have put significant additional resource into immigration enforcement and returns, so those who have no right to be here, particularly those who have committed crimes in our country, are removed as swiftly as possible.

I want to pay tribute to all the Immigration Enforcement staff and other officials in the Home Office who strive tirelessly every day to make our returns system work firmly, fairly and swiftly.”

Calls for Written Evidence for Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill Now Open

The UK government have invited members of the public with relevant expertise, experience or special interests to submit written evidence for the new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, to be considered and debated in parliament.

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill primarily concerns the way that law enforcement is used in immigration offences and other serious crimes. For example, it proposes the new criminal offences of supplying or handling items to be used in connection with illegal immigration, and of collecting information to be used for arranging an unauthorised journey to the UK.

Endangering another person’s life during an illegal crossing in the English Channel would also be made a new criminal offence.

The bill also includes provisions for law enforcement to seize mobile phones and other electronic devices belonging to migrants if they suspect they contain information about organised immigration crime.

The bill has already undergone a second reading and oral evidence session in parliament. The dedicated Public Bill Committee will meet by 5pm on Thursday 20 March, and any submissions for evidence should be submitted by this date.

However, it should be noted that the committee may meet earlier than this date. Furthermore, individuals are urged to submit evidence as soon as possible, as this will allow the committee more time to take it into consideration.

Submissions should be sent to [email protected]

Guidance for submitting evidence to parliament can be found here.

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.