The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has confirmed that from February 25, 2026, visitors to the United Kingdom who require a visa will no longer receive physical visa documents.
In an official update shared on X, UKVI stated that all eligible travellers will be issued an electronic visa (eVisa) instead of paper-based immigration documents.
“From 25 February 2026 visitors to the UK, who need a visa, will get an eVisa only. Create your UKVI account and view your eVisa, before you travel to the UK.”
What Is a UK eVisa?
An eVisa is a digital record of a traveller’s identity and immigration status. It contains key details such as:
Type of visa granted
Immigration status (including indefinite leave to remain)
Conditions attached to the visa (work, study, etc.)
According to the UK government, the eVisa serves as official proof of immigration permission without the need for physical documentation.
eVisas to Replace BRPs, BRCs and Visa Stickers
The new digital system will fully replace several physical immigration documents, including:
Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs)
Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs)
Wet-ink passport stamps
Visa vignette stickers in passports
The transition marks a major shift in the UK’s move toward a fully digital immigration system.
How to Access Your UK eVisa
Travellers must create and use a UKVI account to:
View their eVisa before travel
Update passport or travel document details
Generate a share code to prove immigration status (for jobs, renting accommodation, etc.)
Importantly, the UK government has confirmed that:
Setting up a UKVI account is free
Accessing and viewing your eVisa is free
When Will You Receive an eVisa?
Travellers will typically receive an eVisa once their visa or permission to stay in the UK is successfully approved.
Before travelling, visitors must:
Log into their UKVI account
Confirm their eVisa details
Ensure passport or travel document information is correctly linked
Failure to do so may result in travel disruptions.
Why the UK Is Moving to Digital Immigration
The UK government says the transition to eVisas will:
Improve border security
Reduce document fraud
Simplify immigration status verification
Make the visa process more efficient
The rollout reflects the UK’s broader push toward digital transformation in immigration services.
