-
The digitisation of the UK’s immigration system is part of a phased approach to create a more seamless and secure experience for migrants
-
By 2025, most visa holders and applicants will have a fully digital journey, allowing for faster, more efficient processing of immigration statuses
The UK has launched a nationwide campaign urging immigrants, including Indian nationals, to transition from physical immigration documents to eVisas. This move aligns with the government’s broader plan to fully digitise its border and immigration system by 2025. Migrants currently using physical biometric residence permits (BRPs), visa vignette stickers, or biometric residence cards (BRCs) must shift to the online system, hindustantimes.com reported.
-
The UK government has allocated £4 million in grant funding to support vulnerable individuals who may face challenges in switching to eVisas
-
This funding will be distributed across several organisations, including Migrant Help, Citizens Advice Scotland, and the Welsh Refugee Council
-
A nationwide advertising campaign will raise awareness and encourage migrants to make the switch before their documents expire in December 2024
The majority of BRPs are set to expire by the end of 2024. To simplify the transition, the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) service is phasing out physical documents and encouraging migrants to create online accounts where their immigration status can be easily accessed. Seema Malhotra, the UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, has reassured those impacted that free advice and support are available through a network of voluntary and community sector organisations.
The transition to eVisas offers numerous benefits. Migrants no longer need to travel to collect physical documents or wait for them to be sent, which reduces costs associated with renewals. eVisas also provide added convenience and security. Unlike physical documents, eVisas cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with. They allow visa holders to prove their immigration status instantly and securely. Additionally, eVisas do not change or affect a migrant’s current immigration status.
***********************************************************
Readers
These are extraordinary times. All of us have to rely on high-impact, trustworthy journalism. And this is especially true of the Indian Diaspora. Members of the Indian community overseas cannot be fed with inaccurate news.
Pravasi Samwad is a venture that has no shareholders. It is the result of an impassioned initiative of a handful of Indian journalists spread around the world. We have taken a small step forward with the pledge to provide news with accuracy, free from political and commercial influence. Our aim is to keep you, our readers, informed about developments at ‘home’ and across the world that affect you.
Please help us to keep our journalism independent and free.
In these difficult times, running a news website requires finances. While every contribution, big or small, will make a difference, we request our readers to put us in touch with advertisers worldwide. It will be a great help.
For more information: pravasisamwad00@gmail.com