From February 25, 2026, visitors to the United Kingdom who require a visa will no longer receive physical visa documents. Instead, they will be issued an electronic visa (eVisa), which must be viewed digitally through a UKVI account before travel.
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) announced the change on Friday via an official post on X.
“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.
According to the UK government, an eVisa is a digital record of a person’s identity and immigration status. It includes details such as the type of visa held, whether the individual has indefinite leave to remain (settlement), and any conditions attached, such as permission to work or study in the UK.
The shift to eVisas completes the replacement of physical immigration documents. Biometric residence permits (BRPs) have already been phased out in favour of eVisas, and biometric residence cards (BRCs) as well as wet-ink stamps or vignettes (stickers) in passports will also be replaced.
Travellers will typically receive an eVisa upon successful completion of a visa or permission application. Once issued, individuals can:
– View their eVisa in their UKVI account
– Generate a share code to prove their immigration status (for example, when starting a new job or renting a home)
– Add passport or travel document details to prepare for travel
Accessing the eVisa requires setting up a free UKVI account. The UK government has confirmed that there is no fee to create the account or view the eVisa.
The move is part of the UK’s broader transition to a fully digital immigration system, aimed at improving security, reducing fraud, and streamlining processes for travellers and residents.
The announcement follows earlier requirements for eligible visitors from certain countries to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering the UK, further digitising border controls.
