Widespread identity document errors on digital status (eVisa) accounts
In a new development causing widespread concern, identity document errors on the UKVI (UK Visa and Immigration) digital status platform have impacted a significant number of migrants, including EU citizens.
the3million, the leading organisation advocating for EU citizens’ rights in the UK, reports an alarming increase in issues affecting the accuracy of people’s nationalities and identity document numbers on their UKVI accounts, reported on 5th and 6th March 2025.
Reports flooded in from across the UK, with many EU citizens discovering the identity documents associated with their UKVI accounts were wrongly assigning them to countries such as Eritrea, Ghana or Nigeria, or even listed as “Invalid country”. Non-EU family members and people under different visa routes have also been affected.
Many individuals who have never had a biometric card saw BRPs (Biometric Residence Permits) or BRCs (Biometric Residence Cards) listed under their accounts, with identity document numbers that are entirely unknown to them. The correct identity documents are completely missing from the account.
“This issue is widespread, and it’s clear that the Home Office has failed to address these critical system errors, or communicate effectively with people and their repercussions,” said Andreea Dumitrache, CEO of the3million. “The errors go beyond just an inconvenience. They raise concerns about data privacy. There are fears that personal data from one individual may be assigned to another and people no longer have faith that their personal information is being kept private.”
The “Update your details” system became inaccessible on the morning of 6th March, leaving users unable to access their accounts. Despite this, there has been no communication from the Home Office regarding the matter.
the3million is urging affected individuals to write to their MPs, informing them of the ongoing issues and demanding the Home Office be held accountable.
“The current system is clearly not working, and the recent data breaches are a testament to that. This issue is just one part of a consistent string of technical problems which have been putting people’s rights and access to services at risk. We are calling for the government to take these matters seriously and investigate the true impact this flawed system continues to have on people, through a public inquiry looking at the system’s inclusivity, accessibility and reliability,” said Andreea Dumitrache.
