The full issuance of eVisas will be postponed after the foreign worker's warning

The Home Office has delayed the issuance of eVisas after problems with the system.

It comes after human rights campaigners warned that hundreds of thousands of people who have the right to live and work in Britain may not be able to access their new eVisas and prove their immigration status.

The government should have taken over biometric residence permits (BRP), which show proof of the right to live, work and claim benefits in Britain, with digital eVisas from 31 December.

The proposals were first announced in April, under the previous Tory administration, as a way to “ensure stronger control over who comes here to live, work or study, strengthen border security and prevent abuse of the migration system”.

But there have been many complaints from applicants who have failed to access the new digital system, sparking fears that people could be left stranded abroad because of IT errors.

The Home Office has set aside £4million to fund organizations to help vulnerable people who may struggle to get an eVisa without help. A national campaign to raise awareness of the program was to be launched this week.

However, Migration Minister Seema Malhotra is now looking to postpone the full rollout of the scheme.

There were concerns that the release was due to take place on New Year's Day – a bank holiday – meaning the issues at hand would be difficult to resolve.

Foreign nationals with “leave to remain” placed in the “3C vine” are said to be more prone to receiving error messages when trying to renew their immigration status and apply for an eVisa.

Their rights to work, study or claim benefits in the UK are protected while their application is being assessed, but many employers and landlords insist on seeing a physical document confirming their status.

Nick Beales, head of campaigning for the Refugee and Migrant Forum in Essex and London, told the Guardian: “In June, the high court ruled that the government's failure to give people 3C leave digital proof of status was unlawful.

“The new government has refused to implement the decision, suggesting that like their predecessors they have learned nothing from the Windrush scandal and are committed to maintaining a hostile environment.”

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.