Home Office tests secret online immigration system after Brexit rush

As applications for UK residency soar in the aftermath of Britain's vote to leave the European Union in June, the government has been testing a new fast-track system to cope with the increase.

The pilot programme involves a group of 20 corporate clients, with a public launch expected to be announced this year.

3.5m European nationals currently live in the UK and face doubts over their eligibility as the government attempts to negotiate its exit from the bloc. Currently Europeans do not have to document their arrival to Britain.

Prime minister Theresa May chaired a cabinet meeting on Wednesday to discuss the approach it would take during talks with the EU, and a spokesperson for May said that a key part of their stance would be "controls on the numbers of people who come to Britain from Europe."

One of the Leave campaign's central arguments focussed on curtailing immigrant numbers from Europe to create a level playing field for those seeking entry.

According to an Oxford University Migration Observatory report in August, the UK may have to deal with 140 years' worth of applications in only 12 months.

The new online system will streamline the residency process, which currently includes printing and filling out an 85-page form in order to live and work in the country.

The UK will formally begin the process of leaving the European Union when it invokes Article 50, and it is still uncertain when exactly this will take place.