Home Office Future Border & Immigration Systems - sPCR Engagement Event

[wonkywinch]

Dear WonkyWinch The Home Office is developing a border and immigration system which is digital by default. Our transformation is already underway with millions of people experiencing a fully digital process when applying to come to the UK; crossing the UK border; proving their identity and immigration status and demonstrating their entitlements in the UK. Using a phased approach to implementing digital services, our aim is that by 2025 most customers will have a secure and seamless digital journey when they interact with the UK’s immigration system. Over time this will see physical and paper-based products and services replaced with accessible, straightforward online and digital services. We would like to invite you to our upcoming engagement event on Friday 30th August at 13:00 – 14:00. This event is available for all skippers, operators and agents who are interested in the topics listed below. This event will provide: A brief overview about the Home Office’ digital vision and Universal Permission to Travel requirement An overview of eVisas and rollout plan Digital Permission Checks How passengers can prove their immigration status Opportunity to ask any questions you may have Please sign up to the event via the link below: Home Office Webinar Link If you have any queries, please do reach out to: uptqueries@homeoffice.gov.uk We look forward to welcoming you to the event.

 

[John_Silver]

Good to see ‘them’ consulting. I received the same e mail. Maybe contacting all active users, of the current e system? Good on the Home Office.

 

[lustyd]

Just got this too, won’t be able to attend but great to see them engaging.
I actually think the system as implemented is quite good (if one starts with an assumption that it’s necessary or effective). It needs some fairly obvious refinements, a bit more feedback after submission would be nice and the date boxes are going to drive people to madness unless changed but otherwise it’s been a step forwards.

 

[st599]

Good to see ‘them’ consulting. I received the same e mail. Maybe contacting all active users, of the current e system? Good on the Home Office.

This isn't a consultation, it's a repeat of the webinar they gave to RYA clubs earlier in the year. Well worth going.

 

[John_Silver]

Link to Presentations, from engagement event, just received. FAQ document to follow. Apparently there were a lot of questions….

 

[wonkywinch]

Let no to Presentations, from engagement event, just received.

Just had a similar email. Be careful with that link as it has an ID code specific to you (not that I can see your personal info but it has a key for the presentation which is unique to you).

 

[Sandy]

Just had a similar email. Be careful with that link as it has an ID code specific to you (not that I can see your personal info but it has a key for the presentation which is unique to you).

I could download the three files without being asked for any ID or my inside leg measurement.

 

[lustyd]

It's not a unique code, mine is the same

 

[LiftyK]

I'm looking forward to the promised follow-up with answers to questions raised at the event.

 

[wonkywinch]

I could download the three files without being asked for any ID or my inside leg measurement.

Because the link contained the text "AccessID=50774524-BF12-4C56-A8CCADA28E120650" which is what I was warning against however, I just checked mine as suggested by lusty and it's also identical.

 

[John_Silver]

Off the hook then….phew

 

[chris-s]

Off the hook then….phew

Well, apart from the little matter of your ip address

 

[stranded]

Did anyone pick up from this event anything about the Q flag requirement, with dire penalties threatened if we take it down before getting clearance. I am getting really fed up with sailing around with the Q flag flying for the past two years and wonder when they will get round to telling me I can drop it.

 

[wonkywinch]

I emailed them a couple of times about this Q Flag thing, they responded but don't appear to have understood my question, I rephrased and asked again, got an acknowledgment email but never a full response. Now feeding back via the CA as I believe they are onto them about this.

 

[stranded]

I emailed them a couple of times about this Q Flag thing, they responded but don't appear to have understood my question, I rephrased and asked again, got an acknowledgment email but never a full response. Now feeding back via the CA as I believe they are onto them about this.

Cheers Wonky - I should message the CA too - the Home Office can’t expect us to take our responsibilities as seriously as we should if they don’t fulfil their part of the bargain.

 

[wonkywinch]

Just had an email from the CA and I hope they won't mind me reproducing it here for the benefit of all mariners -

Checking Into UK

Over the summer many members have successfully checked back into the UK using the online sPCR process but there was concern from some that the latest email reply after sending a passage plan was unclear on what further action was necessary.

Was further confirmation needed before taking down the Q flag, landing or going ashore? Or was the automatic response sufficient?

The CA queried this with the Home Office and have now received a response which is that Border Force should be contacting the vessel during that 2 hour window that is set in your passage plan submission.

If they do not contact you then you should call Yachtline to request permission. They have also agreed to review and reword either or both the instructions on the sPCR web service and the email response to passage reports.

© The Cruising Association

 

[stranded]

Thanks Wonky. The Border Force response is BS though isn’t it - I’ve made the return journey 3 times now under this mechanism and never been contacted beyond the initial acknowledgement that I had submitted my form. Had a BF rib idle by the boat not long after we had moored in Salcombe on Saturday so I thought something might happen, but they just pootled trying to look tough but mostly just looking fat - the French maritime police are so much more aesthetically and socially pleasing!

 

[lustyd]

I thought the wording on the new system was that you’re checked in unless told otherwise as a UK resident since the system checks you. Why would they separately call you?

 

[Bristolfashion]

Just had an email from the CA and I hope they won't mind me reproducing it here for the benefit of all mariners -

Checking Into UK

Over the summer many members have successfully checked back into the UK using the online sPCR process but there was concern from some that the latest email reply after sending a passage plan was unclear on what further action was necessary.

Was further confirmation needed before taking down the Q flag, landing or going ashore? Or was the automatic response sufficient?

The CA queried this with the Home Office and have now received a response which is that Border Force should be contacting the vessel during that 2 hour window that is set in your passage plan submission.

If they do not contact you then you should call Yachtline to request permission. They have also agreed to review and reword either or both the instructions on the sPCR web service and the email response to passage reports.

© The Cruising Association

Which slightly smacks of "we might or might not do our job, but if we can't be bothered, it's up to you to follow up".

As expected, the whole process is a dog's breakfast.

 

[stranded]

I thought the wording on the new system was that you’re checked in unless told otherwise as a UK resident since the system checks you. Why would they separately call you?

I don’t care if they call me or not, but the guidance is that you should not remove your Q flag until told you can do so under pain of an undisclosed ‘penalty’.