The controversial implementation of digital visas for non-EU migrants has been postponed, but the "cliff edge" year-end deadline remains unchanged. This means that more than 4 million UK people are in a race against time to avoid becoming unauthorized migrants. The Home Office had stated that people would be able to apply for the new "eVisas" in June, but now says that applications will open "later in 2024".

Immigration lawyers have written to the Home Office, expressing "great concern" about the delay, as the deadline for the transfer to eVisas remains unchanged on December 31.
The controversial implementation of digital visas for non-EU migrants has been postponed, but the "cliff edge" year-end deadline remains unchanged. 

To access their eVisa, people first have to set up a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) digital account, which so far can be done only with on invitation from the Home Office. A trial this spring ran into problems when the department found it didn’t have all the contact details it needed.

The Home Office had intended that from June anyone could go online and open a UKVI account, leaving six months for about 4 million people to make the switch, a time frame some already feared was too tight.

“This apparent change to the Public Beta timeframe is of great concern as it places millions of people with extant leave in a state of uncertainty with no secure time frame as to when they might be able to transfer their immigration status online, despite the self-imposed impending BRP expiry date of 31 December 2024,” Bantleman wrote on behalf of ILPA in a letter to Home Office officials at the start of this month. ILPA still hasn’t received a reply, and the government has given no explanation for the delay.“To be certain they can travel over the winter holidays and return in the new year, millions of people will need to create an account to obtain access to their eVisa, ensure there are no errors or glitches in their status, and check that the Home Office has their up-to-date passport or travel document details,” Bantleman told.

A spokesman for the Home Office confirmed: "This is a phased launch that will mark a step towards replacing physical immigration documents with eVisas by 2025, and a key part of the transformation and digitisation of the UK's border and immigration system."