UK to End Physical Visa Documents, Introduce eVisas for Eligible Visitors

• The UK has announced a shift to digital immigration records, with visa-required visitors set to receive eVisas instead of physical documents, as authorities phase out passport stickers and residence permits.

The United Kingdom has announced that visitors who require a visa will no longer receive physical visa documents, as the country moves fully to a digital immigration system.

The change was disclosed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) in a post on X on Friday. According to the agency, affected travellers will instead be issued an electronic visa, known as an eVisa, which must be accessed online before travelling.

“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,” the statement read.

Explaining the policy, the UK government described an eVisa as “a digital record of your identity and immigration status – for example the type of visa you have or if you have indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in the UK – and the conditions of your status, for example if you’re allowed to work or study in the UK.”

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UK authorities noted that eVisas are gradually replacing physical immigration documents. “Biometric residence permits (BRPs) have already been replaced by eVisas. They will also replace biometric residence cards (BRCs) and wet ink stamps or vignettes (stickers) in passports,” the government said.

Travellers are expected to receive an eVisa once they successfully apply for a visa or other permission to enter or remain in the UK. Once issued, holders can “view your eVisa and get a share code to prove your immigration status, for example when you get a new job or rent a home,” and can travel after linking their passport or travel document details.

The government added that access to the eVisa requires a UKVI account, stressing that creating and using the account is free of charge.