A landmark study has exposed the UK's new digital-only immigration system as a source of significant stress, fear, and potential exclusion for migrants required to use it. The research, conducted by Migrant Voice and the University of Warwick, details a system plagued by errors, shifting deadlines, and technical failures that jeopardise people's rights to work, rent, and travel.
System Failures and Mounting Anxiety
The digitalisation of immigration status, which began in 2018, reached a critical point this year when the government mandated that nearly all migrants entering or legally residing in the UK must obtain an eVisa to prove their status. This makes them the first group subjected to a compulsory digital-only identification system.
However, interviews with 40 migrants revealed widespread problems. Participants reported high levels of anxiety while trying to navigate the complex digitalisation process under tight deadlines. A central fear was the inability to prove their legal status if the digital portal malfunctioned, potentially causing them to lose their rights overnight.
One migrant, referencing the Windrush scandal, stated: "I don't trust the system... There were already situations of Europeans applying that were completely vanished from the system. If it happens to one, why not them, not me."
Real-World Consequences: Jobs, Homes, and Travel at Risk
The technical glitches have had severe practical impacts. People described facing errors that directly affected their ability to work, rent property, study, travel, and access public services. Many felt vulnerable and anxious when forced to correct mistakes they did not create.
Compounding the issue is a lack of understanding among those who need to verify the digital status. Employers, landlords, airline staff, and border officials often lack training, leading to delays and confusion. Shockingly, some migrants reported being asked to explain the Home Office system themselves.
A major point of failure is the process for generating a "share code", which is essential for proving the right to work or rent. Even when seeking help via official Home Office email or helplines, many were left confused and without clear instructions.
Compounding Inequalities and a Stark Warning
The study highlights that the digital-only approach disproportionately impacts migrants with limited digital literacy, language barriers, or disabilities, putting them at high risk of exclusion. Those who understood English noted the unfairness of a system not translated into other languages, forcing reliance on friends, community groups, and online platforms for guidance.
Dr Derya Ozkul from the University of Warwick summarised the findings: "We heard from individuals losing employment opportunities, missing flights, having their personal information shared with others, and struggling due to technical issues. This report should serve as a warning about what can go wrong when systems are made compulsory and digital-only, without alternatives."
The report stands as a critical indictment of the rollout, suggesting that the pursuit of a fully digital border is creating a new layer of bureaucratic hardship and insecurity for those it is designed to manage.
