This investment from Oldham Council will build capacity within the voluntary, community, faith & social enterprise (VCFSE) sector to support residents in Oldham to access their eVisas.
Why is the support needed?
UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) is developing a digital system, which will replace physical documents with an online record of immigration status.
People who currently hold physical immigration documents will need to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. An eVisa is an online record of a person’s immigration status & the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK, including their right to work & right to rent. It serves as official proof of immigration status.
The UK Government has funded both national & local organisations to support individuals in applying for their eVisa, but this assistance is very limited.
What was the funding used for?
Funding was made available to build capacity within the voluntary, community, faith & social enterprise (VCFSE) sector in Oldham to support residents in upgrading their immigration documents & transitioning to the new eVisa system. This investment aims to increase the availability of support for residents throughout the transition.
| Group/Organisation | Grant amount | Support Provided |
| All-Sufficient Sanctuary | £4,000 | Delivered an awareness session to help people understand the changes to the eVisa system & provided information & resources on how to complete the UKVI application. |
| European & Roma Organisation | £3,990 | Actively support Roma residents in Oldham with all aspects of their immigration status, ensuring they receive the help they need with eVisa processes & related issues |
| KaskoSan Limited | £4,000 | Support Roma families from EU member states (e.g., Slovakia, Czechia, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria) who have not yet resolved their EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status. |
| OAK Community Development | £3,000 | eVisa enquiries, a lack of information or awareness about the system & how to complete it. Provide 1‑to‑1 support, raise awareness, & deliver workshops to help them navigate the process |
| OBA Millennium Centre | £4,000 | Support with immigration & eVisa queries. This includes help with completing forms, translation & interpretation, as well as advocacy for those who have no one else to assist them. |
| Support & Action for Women (SAWN) | £4,000 | Offers daily support on immigration & related issues & possesses the necessary equipment & language skills to empower women to take control of their circumstances. |
| The Apostolic Church Lawna Manchester | £3,000 | Members of the community and congregation have experienced challenges with the eVisa process. They organised seminars to explain how the system works. |
| UK Education & Faith Foundation | £4,000 | Staff & Volunteers are multilingual & have supported residents who speak a wide range of languages. Assisting residents with making applications & accessing their eVisas. |
| Vision Youth and Community | £4,000 | Work closely with young people & families who are new to our community, offering learning support, advice & a range of practical assistance to ease their transition. |
| Westwood and Coldhurst Women's Association | £2,980 | Offer online support to women, with demand anticipated to rise as the system transitions, especially among newly arrived individuals. |
| Yuvanis Foundation | £4,000 | The funding created an opportunity for volunteers to receive the necessary training to provide support & to actively promote the eVisa application service. |