A National Digital ID Scheme: An Immigration Adviser’s Perspective
For most migrants, right-to-work checks are already digital. Employers must use a share code to view an individual’s eVisa via GOV.UK. Physical residence permits are no longer valid.
However, on 26 September 2025, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a digital ID scheme that will be mandatory for all with regard to proving the right to work but voluntary in other cases.
Over the last few years as immigration advisers, we have become increasingly engaged with the digital identity (ID) systems that are reshaping how individuals prove their identity and status in the UK. A digital ID is essentially an electronic representation of a person, used to verify who they are or confirm facts about them—such as age, nationality, or residency status—during online or in-person interactions.
Benefits for Migrants and Employers
Digital ID systems offer significant advantages, particularly in immigration and employment contexts. One of the most promising features is the concept of reusable credentials. Once a digital identity provider verifies an individual’s documents, they issue a credential that can be used repeatedly to confirm specific facts—like being over 18 or having the right to work—without revealing unnecessary personal details. This supports data minimisation, which is crucial for privacy.
For migrants, this means less reliance on physical documents and more control over their personal data. Credentials can be stored securely on a mobile device, and shared only with consent. Employers benefit too: if a digital ID provider is trusted, they don’t need to re-verify documents, streamlining right-to-work checks and reducing administrative burden.
Importantly, these systems can be decentralised. Personal data remains with the issuing authority, and verified credentials are held by the user—not in a centralised government database.
Risks and Concerns
Despite the benefits, digital ID systems raise valid concerns. Privacy advocates warn of risks such as data breaches, surveillance, and digital exclusion. Even decentralised systems can behave like centralised ones if unique identifiers link data across platforms. As advisers, we must be vigilant about how these systems evolve and ensure our clients understand their rights and protections.
UK Government Policy and Immigration Implications
The UK government has supported private sector digital ID services through the Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework, now backed by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. Only certified providers can access government-held data for identity verification, ensuring higher standards of privacy and cybersecurity.
Public sector initiatives include UK One Login—a unified system for accessing government services—and UK Wallet, an app for storing official documents like driving licences. These platforms underpin the government’s new digital ID scheme announced in September 2025.
Under this scheme, digital ID will be mandatory for proving the right to work in the UK. It will be stored in the GOV.UK Wallet and include key identity attributes. While designed to be privacy-focused and
inclusive, the scheme has sparked debate. Civil liberties groups fear surveillance and exclusion, while tech industry leaders caution against a government monopoly that could stifle innovation.
The government will consult on the detailed design and implementation of the digital ID later in 2025.
If you currently in the UK, or are planning to be in the near future and have any questions regarding proving your right to work or status through the current eVisa system, or have any other UK immigration based questions, please contact us via contact@visa-office.com or on 01225 256800
