#evisas
1. Force foreigners to have eVisas rather than physical proof of status

2. Implement actual use of eVisas in the most lacklustre half-hearted way you can possibly imagine, causing countless issues any time someone with an eVisa has to prove their status.

Genius!
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
June 30, 2025 at 9:06 AM
#HostileEnvironment - chaotic environment. The Home Office is not fit for purpose

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK government agency not accepting eVisas as ID from job applicants
Home Office says system changes needed at SIA to allow eVisas, prompting fears of another Windrush-type scandal
www.theguardian.com
June 30, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Many unable to access eVisas to prove right to be in UK, Home Office admits
Many unable to access eVisas to prove right to be in UK, Home Office admits
Campaigners say problems with digital transfer could affect hundreds of thousands of people on ‘10-year route’ visas The Home Office has admitted that many people who have the right to live and work in the UK cannot access their eVisas and provide proof…
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2024 at 3:13 PM
This is all going as well as one might expect for a Home Office initiative
UK government agency not accepting eVisas as ID from job applicants
Home Office says system changes needed at SIA to allow eVisas, prompting fears of another Windrush-type scandal
www.theguardian.com
June 30, 2025 at 6:02 AM
The government is pressing on with eVisas for non-EU migrants despite not completing an equality impact assessment

Campaigners warn the switch to eVisas could cause problems for older residents and those lack reliable internet access

By me, for the Observer:
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK rollout of eVisas could leave non-EU migrants ‘vulnerable’
Home Office is issuing digital visas without completing necessary checks, Freedom of Information quest reveals
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Revealed: ministers to postpone full shift to eVisas next month
Revealed: ministers to postpone full shift to eVisas next month
Exclusive: fears that UK residents could be stranded abroad due to system glitches prompts rethink Ministers are to postpone a full shift to eVisas next month after concerns that UK residents could be stranded abroad because of glitches in the system,…
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Digital IDs are a terrible, dangerous idea for numerous reasons.

But, even on their own terms, what's the gap they're supposed to fill?

It seems many people don't realise that we already have eVisas. All migrants get this "digital record" of their status and permission anyway.
September 27, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Britain's eVisas (with no paper backup) have already thrown many people's lives into chaos, through no fault of their own. The minister could not say similar problems won't occur with proposed ID cards

#NoToIDCards | #DigitalID
October 16, 2025 at 1:01 PM
UK in a Changing Europe: eVisas: what, why and when?
ukandeu.ac.uk/evisas-what-...
eVisas: what, why and when? - UK in a changing Europe
Catherine Barnard examines the problems with eVisas - online records of immigration status - and looks at several case studies
ukandeu.ac.uk
December 21, 2024 at 10:30 AM
My phone’s autocorrect wants to replace “eVisas” with “racists”, it’s just incredible what it knows
Great succinct summary of the looming disaster over the Home Office’s eVisas scheme
Latest post from us: eVisas and the hostile environment: a disaster waiting to happen | Brian Dikoff
December 2, 2024 at 11:09 AM
For instance, this from today, UK eVisas are not being accepted as ID for essential purposes because the Security Industry Authority needs to update its systems. This means people can't get bank accounts or take up job offers www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK government agency not accepting eVisas as ID from job applicants
Home Office says system changes needed at SIA to allow eVisas, prompting fears of another Windrush-type scandal
www.theguardian.com
June 30, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Why the move to eVisas - the only way to show migration status demo 1 January 2025 - combined with ongoing hostile environment policies that turn the public and statutory organisations into “quasi” border is a disaster waiting to happen @freemovement.bsky.social freemovement.org.uk/evisas-and-t...
eVisas and the hostile environment: a disaster waiting to happen - Free Movement
There is now only a month left before all biometric residence permits and biometric residence cards will expire on 31 December 2024 and understanding of the
freemovement.org.uk
December 2, 2024 at 9:44 AM
Even if you don't object to the principle, and don't worry about mission creep, it won't achieve it's stated aim of stopping illegal working. Because we already have right to work checks and eVisas, and Digital ID doesn't do anything eVisas don't for illegal workers. So why spend billions on it?
September 27, 2025 at 6:39 PM
SHOCKING: The Government's own agency does not accept eVisas as a form of ID.

With millions of people reliant on eVisas to exercise their basic rights - to work, rent, and more - there is a real worrying possibility this will become the next Windrush Scandal.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK government agency not accepting eVisas as ID from job applicants
Home Office says system changes needed at SIA to allow eVisas, prompting fears of another Windrush-type scandal
www.theguardian.com
June 30, 2025 at 9:39 AM
What an absolute clusterfuck

I want the Home Office to suspend eVisas and give people a physical document not a fucking NTF

And give them back their money with a hand written apology from the Home Secretary
“We’re making all the visas virtual but the people who can throw you of planes, forcibly execute body cavity searches, and put you in detention without warrant or charge still feel the need to see a physical document that we can’t be arsed to provide any more. Sucks to be you, lol”
January 19, 2025 at 5:46 PM
This is what the government has been saying about eVisas. So, why do we need digital IDs?

Every time they come up with yet another idea to monitor us and further control our lives, they claim this one is the panacea for all our problems.
September 27, 2025 at 8:37 AM
UK rollout of eVisas could leave non-EU migrants ‘vulnerable’
UK rollout of eVisas could leave non-EU migrants ‘vulnerable’
Home Office is issuing digital visas without completing necessary checks, Freedom of Information quest reveals The government is pressing ahead with a digital visa scheme to prove the residency rights of millions of people from outside the EU without…
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2025 at 2:13 PM
The 31st December 2024 "cliff edge" deadline when people with passport stamps/biometric cards will need e-visas to prove the right to reside in the UK is likely to cause a new Windrush Scandal. Yvette Cooper may not have created this, but she could still prevent it.
www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
UK's rollout of digital eVisas risks creating another Windrush scandal
The changeover to digital eVisas has had severe consequences for those with leave to remain, with the most vulnerable worst affected.
www.bigissue.com
November 24, 2024 at 9:01 AM
Never mind WASPI women, the UK govt has *never* contacted 4 million UK permanent residents telling them they need to upgrade their residence permits. Grace period till March? My 70+ yr old Windrush-era parents (arrived 1960s) with vignettes can’t even apply for eVisas until BRP approved in May 🤦‍♂️
December 22, 2024 at 11:45 PM
It'd be cool if they explained how this is supposed to curb illegal immigration. UK immigrants (like myself) already get digital ID's (eVisas) and right-to-work/rent is already checked online.
September 20, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Should also be noted that this is happening without any official change in visa policy from Uganda. They still issue evisas to Taiwanese but are now doing this when they try to use it
August 8, 2026 at 9:29 AM
❌"Yet even with the correct digital paperwork she has been told that the Child Benefit systems are currently unable to accept eVisas as proof of immigration status."

@fionacostello.bsky.social & @cbarnard.bsky.social examine the issues caused by eVisas 👇

ukandeu.ac.uk/evisas-what-...
EVisas: what, why and when? - UK in a changing Europe
Catherine Barnard examines the problems with eVisas - online records of immigration status - and looks at several case studies
ukandeu.ac.uk
December 16, 2024 at 4:13 PM
Three sleeps! Wed, Sep 30, 9:00am: Hybrid: BSIA - Understanding the UK’s Digital Immigration System: Navigating eVisas and Everyday Digital Bordering. https://balsillieschool.ca/event/understanding-the-uks-digital-immigration-system-navigating-evisas-and-everyday-digital-bordering/
September 27, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Day 1766 of #Brexit: ‘The Home Office has admitted that many people who have the right to live and work in the UK cannot access their eVisas and provide proof that they are allowed to be in the country.’ www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Many unable to access eVisas to prove right to be in UK, Home Office admits
Campaigners say problems with digital transfer could affect hundreds of thousands of people on ‘10-year route’ visas
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2024 at 8:33 PM