From 25 February 2026, the UK has made one of its biggest changes to how visitor visas are issued. If you apply and pay for a UK visit visa on or after this date, you will not receive a visa sticker (vignette) in your passport.
Instead, you will get a digital eVisa linked to your passport and stored in your UKVI online account.
This is part of the Home Office's wider move to a fully digital immigration system. Physical visa stickers, Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), and paper entry stamps are all being phased out. The UK is following a model similar to Australia's digital visa system.
What Has Changed?
Before this change, when your UK visit visa was approved, a visa sticker was placed inside your passport at the Visa Application Centre (VAC). You had to leave your passport at the VAC while this was done. That system is now over.
From 25 February 2026, all new visit visa approvals will exist only as a digital eVisa. There is no physical proof of your visa in your passport. Your immigration status is stored electronically and linked to the passport you used when applying.
The Home Office had already started a soft transition from 12 January 2026, where applicants were receiving both an eVisa and a visa sticker. That transition period is now complete. Going forward, it is eVisa only.
What Visitors Need to Do
As confirmed by the official UK Visas and Immigration (@UKVIgovuk) announcement, visitors need to follow three simple steps before they travel:
1. Create your UKVI account on the official government website. You will need your passport and an email address. The account is free to set up.
2. View your eVisa through your UKVI account. This is where your visa approval is stored digitally.
3. Check your details are correct. Make sure the passport linked to your eVisa matches the one you will be travelling with.
Important Things to Remember
While the steps above are simple, there are a few practical things to keep in mind:
Check at least 24 hours before travel. The Home Office recommends logging into your UKVI account at least 24 hours before departure to make sure your immigration data is up to date.
Update your account if you renew your passport. If you get a new passport after your eVisa is issued, you must update your UKVI account immediately. If the passport you carry does not match the one linked to your eVisa, airlines will not let you board.
Use the share code. Your UKVI account allows you to generate a share code to prove your immigration status to employers, landlords, or border officials. This replaces the need for physical documents.
A Practical Benefit for Applicants
One positive change is that visa nationals will now attend the Visa Application Centre only once and keep their passport with them. Previously, you had to leave your passport at the VAC so the visa sticker could be placed in it. With the digital eVisa, that is no longer necessary.
What If You Already Have a Visa Sticker?
If you received a visa sticker before 25 February 2026, it remains valid for travel. However, the Home Office strongly recommends creating a UKVI account and checking that your eVisa is accessible. Most people with a valid visa sticker issued before 12 January 2026 can also access their eVisa through their UKVI account.
Existing BRP and BRC holders will be migrated to the digital system automatically during 2026. If you hold a BRP, do not wait for the automatic migration. Create your UKVI account now.
How NARA Solicitors Can Help
At NARA Solicitors, we help individuals and families with all types of UK visa applications, including
visitor visas. If you are unsure about the new eVisa process, how to set up your UKVI account, or how these changes affect your travel plans, our team is ready to help.
We also work with businesses on
sponsor licence applications and
compliance audits, where digital immigration checks are becoming increasingly important for employers.
If you need guidance on the new eVisa system or any UK immigration matter,
book a consultation with NARA Solicitors today.
