Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 15 July (HL1735), what steps they are taking to ensure compliance with regulations UK261 and to protect passengers lawfully resident in the UK with a valid digital-only eVisa who are denied boarding by airlines on the basis they are not adequately documented, and prevented from claiming compensation under the regulations due to airlines not following Home Office guidance on checking permission to travel to the UK.

The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for enforcing UK261. Whether compensation is payable where a passenger is denied boarding depends on the circumstances of the individual case. Passengers who consider that an airline has not complied with its obligations should first raise the matter with the airline and may then pursue the available redress arrangements.

Since 25 February 2026, all commercial aviation carriers flying directly to the UK have been integrated into the interactive Advance Passenger Information system and use it to verify passengers’ permission to travel to the UK. Over the last three years, the Home Office has worked extensively with carriers through direct communications, carrier forums and awareness sessions to support the transition to eVisas and minimise the risk of passengers being incorrectly denied boarding. The Home Office continues to engage closely with carriers to ensure they understand and correctly apply the processes for verifying a passenger's permission to travel, including the use of digital immigration status. Where a carrier is unable to confirm a person’s permission to travel, it can contact the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for advice and support.

eVisa holders are advised to keep their UKVI account up to date and ensure that the passport or travel document they intend to use is linked to their account. More than 11 million eVisas have been issued, and most people use them without issue.