Under the new system, people travelling to the UK without a visa will have to apply for an ‘Electronic Travel Authorisation’ document (ETA). This will prove their eligibility to enter the UK before they arrive.
The Home Office expects to receive about 30 million ETA applications per year. The plans to digitise the border are part of the Home Secretary’s controversial ‘New Plan on Immigration’; a root and branch restructure of the immigration system.
Incorrect migration data
The new-digital approach to visas follows the publication of data revealing that migration data estimates have been significantly wrong. The size of the UK’s European population us thought to total three million, so it was expected that there would be three million applications for the EU Settled Status scheme. However, the scheme has received over five million applications, with almost all being granted.
Asylum system failings
As well as restructuring of the immigration system, the Home Secretary has highlighted ‘failings’ in the asylum system and stressed the need to focus on tackling people smugglers. The Home Secretary was recently present on a police operation where suspected gang leaders of traffickers using minicabs and lorries were arrested.
The New Plan On Immigration has been criticised by migrants’ rights groups, women’s rights organisations and immigration lawyers. The UN has denounced the proposals as “vague and unworkable”, saying that they put UK’s worldwide reputation at risk.
Immigration Solicitors Oldham, Rochdale and Manchester
If you have any questions about the digital visa and need the help of Manchester Immigration solicitors, Rochdale immigration solicitors or Oldham immigration solicitors then contact Scarsdale Solicitors Oldham, Scarsdale Solicitors Manchester or Scarsdale Solicitors Rochdale on 0161 660 6050 for further advice.
