Technical Glitches Plague UK's New eVisa System, Disrupting Travel for Foreign Nationals

2025-01-25

Foreign nationals are facing significant challenges entering the UK due to technical issues with the new eVisa system, which replaced physical biometric residence permits (BRPs) at the start of 2025. The transition, delayed by three months due to IT problems, has left many travellers unable to prove their immigration status, resulting in denied boarding and travel disruptions.

Under the new system, eVisas are intended to allow individuals to prove their immigration status using a “share code” linked to their passport. However, technical glitches, including system crashes and incorrect data, have caused widespread issues. Some travellers have reported being unable to access their eVisa accounts, while others have found their details merged with unrelated individuals, raising concerns about data security and privacy.

The Home Office has acknowledged the problems and extended the validity of expired BRPs until 31 March 2025 to ease the transition. Despite this, many foreign nationals remain stranded abroad, unable to return to the UK. Refugee families and vulnerable individuals have been particularly affected, with some unable to access essential services such as healthcare, housing, or employment due to the lack of a functioning eVisa.

The Open Rights Group and other migrant advocacy organisations have criticised the rollout, warning that the online-only system risks leaving people “undocumented” due to technical failures. They have called for the introduction of offline alternatives, such as QR codes or printed documents, to mitigate the risks.

The Home Office has set up a 24/7 support service for airlines and travellers, but the system’s reliability remains a concern. The government maintains that eVisas offer enhanced security and efficiency, but the ongoing issues highlight the challenges of transitioning to a fully digital immigration system.

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