Just now I saw a video that was uploaded by Air Safety Institute. I feel sorry for the three people who died in that tragedy, particularly feeling sorry for the female pilot who was at complete peace and calm till the last moments even though she was burdened by air traffic controllers with frequent instructions throwing her all around at the airport. The elaboration detailed by the Air Safety Institute mostly blaming the pilot for the tragedy forced me to write this article. We may agree that in most cases we blame the pilot for any incident or accident. The elaboration given by ASI is quite sorted, but the thing I didn’t like in here is that the first culprit here is found to be the private pilot who had minimal amount of flying experience. It is easy to blame the pilot for not being alive to fight for her case and everyone else involved in the tragedy, particularly the ATC who want to save their jobs and reputation. What I didn’t like was the cirrus private pilot was as...
Technology always breathes new life into a system and alters our way of working. However, it takes time and numerous changes to make a technology foolproof. Those who have lived the time computers came must be familiar with it. Technology change is something that we complain about today, but we thank later. A new move by the UK can be seen as the dawn of a new era and may see the same transition.
When everything is going digital why should the immigration process be left behind? The UK government is currently busy putting in place a completely digital immigration system. This means those applying for immigration to the UK will not see the paper documents like a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) but will see the electronic records of the immigration status, or eVisa.
The goal of the Home Office is to make the system work on its own with minimal to no paper usage by the end of 2024, according to the Home Office Digital, Data and Technology Strategy 2024. This is not a new thing, as some other countries have already moved to be completely digital at some airports. Finland is already test-running this completely digital environment wherein the first digital passports are being used.
How will the eVisa Work?
An eVisa is a digital format of the current physical form of immigration documents. An individual can show their rights to work and live in the UK using this digital status which can be accessed online through UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). This online system can also be used by landlords who give property on rent to immigrants.
Necessary checks to work and rent in the country can be done by using the unique share codes by the online view and prove service. This service promises to be fast and bring transparency, plus the government will be able to contain illegal immigration in the country. The fact that one will not have to run around and everything can be checked on the phone, will help the government control migratory movement.
Can there be Issues with eVisas?
Even though this system is still developing, the Home Office is confident that it will make the process at the UK border more efficient. Plus, it will reduce or eliminate occurrences of loss, theft, or tampering. However, there can be some teething problems that need to be ironed out before realising the complete benefits.
There can be an increase in technical errors as the number of people accessing the system increases. The immigration sector is awake round the clock, and unless the government’s IT system is not the best of the lot, they are in trouble. The fact that everything will be online, means that if the system is not working, people are going nowhere. Difficulty in submitting biometric data, or the system failing to recognise biometric chip of passports are just a few of the examples.
The UK government will also have to make room for the digital divide. Everyone around the globe is not at the same level digitally, and since migrants may be coming from countries that have yet to catch up digitally, it will cause problems. Someone who has an old phone on which the latest app does not work may be left stranded at the airport. The authorities will have to work on every possibility to ensure the system runs smoothly.
The Final Thoughts
The Home Office’s efforts towards digitalisation hold the promise of an efficient and user-friendly immigration system. The online eVisa system does have the potential to make life easier for millions of people coming to the country. If we have answers and solutions to some questions, things will look much more promising at the airports and elsewhere for immigrants.
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