No More Paper UK Visas After Feb 25, 2026 – eVisa Takes Over

Starting February 25, 2026, the UK will switch to a fully digital immigration system. Physical documents like visa stickers (vignettes) and BRPs will no longer be issued or used for travel.

Key Changes

eVisas Only: All visa-national visitors will receive a digital eVisa instead of a passport sticker.

Mandatory ETA: Visa-exempt travellers (e.g., from the US, EU, Australia) must hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding.

Stricter Boarding: Carriers (airlines, ferries, trains) will verify digital status before departure; without a valid eVisa or ETA, travel will be denied.

Action Plan

Create a UKVI Account: Visit gov.uk/evisa to set up a free account.

Link Your Passport: Connect your travel document to your digital record.

Use Share Codes: Generate "share codes" from your account to prove your status to employers or landlords.

Update Details: If you get a new passport, you must update your UKVI account immediately to ensure it matches your travel document.