Immigration advisers Five Star International have revealed that an IT upgrade to the Home Office’s Case Information Database in early 2024 has inadvertently merged or corrupted records for at least 76,000 individuals. An internal briefing seen by the firm—and published on 24 November 2025—shows errors ranging from misspelt names and swapped photographs to the wrongful deletion of valid immigration status markers.
Affected migrants report being unable to prove their right to work, rent property or access the NHS because employers and landlords receive a ‘no record found’ response during online status checks. One software engineer on a Global Talent visa told Five Star he lost a contract after the e-Visa portal showed his leave had expired, even though his BRP card is valid until 2027.
![Data-merge blunder leaves 76,000 migrants facing identity chaos in Home Office system]()
The Home Office says it has assembled a ‘rapid remediation team’ to audit affected files and will prioritise those with imminent travel or employment needs. It has declined to publish a timeline for full rectification. In the meantime, employers are advised to request alternative evidence—such as a share-code generated before the glitch or a passport vignette—when onboarding new starters who claim to be affected.
The episode underscores the risks inherent in the UK’s transition from physical BRP cards to purely digital e-Visas by the end of 2025. HR teams should monitor forthcoming guidance and prepare contingency processes, including keeping hard-copy visa evidence where available.
Legal practitioners warn that individuals whose data were corrupted may need to file Subject Access Requests and potentially seek compensation for financial losses. The incident is likely to fuel calls in Parliament for an independent review of Home Office digital systems and outsourcing contracts.
Affected migrants report being unable to prove their right to work, rent property or access the NHS because employers and landlords receive a ‘no record found’ response during online status checks. One software engineer on a Global Talent visa told Five Star he lost a contract after the e-Visa portal showed his leave had expired, even though his BRP card is valid until 2027.
The Home Office says it has assembled a ‘rapid remediation team’ to audit affected files and will prioritise those with imminent travel or employment needs. It has declined to publish a timeline for full rectification. In the meantime, employers are advised to request alternative evidence—such as a share-code generated before the glitch or a passport vignette—when onboarding new starters who claim to be affected.
The episode underscores the risks inherent in the UK’s transition from physical BRP cards to purely digital e-Visas by the end of 2025. HR teams should monitor forthcoming guidance and prepare contingency processes, including keeping hard-copy visa evidence where available.
Legal practitioners warn that individuals whose data were corrupted may need to file Subject Access Requests and potentially seek compensation for financial losses. The incident is likely to fuel calls in Parliament for an independent review of Home Office digital systems and outsourcing contracts.
