A British resident who is legally settled in the UK was left stranded at a Spanish airport after encountering an error in the United Kingdom’s new electronic visa system that reportedly identified her as her twin sister.
Nidia Webb, who holds settled status, was told the problem was a “known issue” with the Home Office’s eVisa process. The system was introduced as part of the government’s post‑Brexit effort to digitise immigration controls, but has been beset by faults since its rollout.
The incident has added to mounting concerns over the reliability of the digital visa platform, which critics say has caused disruption for travellers and applicants. Officials and applicants have reported a range of technical and administrative problems since the system replaced previous arrangements.
The Home Office has previously framed the eVisa as a key element of modernising the UK’s immigration infrastructure. However, experiences such as Webb’s have prompted calls for fixes and clearer guidance to prevent people — including those with settled status — from being wrongly denied travel or entry.
Advocates and affected individuals say the mix‑ups underline the potential consequences of errors in automated identity checks, particularly where family resemblances or similar records can lead to mistaken matches. The case has fuelled wider debate about the pace and reliability of digitising sensitive public services and the safeguards needed to protect travellers and migrants.