This week most people on visitor’s visas and certain other visa types have been granted access to a digital version of their visa, known as an eVisa, in addition to the physical visa sticker affixed in their passports. This move is part of the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) strategy to transition the entire visa system online.
Later in 2026, UKVI will cease issuing visa stickers, and all successful applicants will solely receive an eVisa. These digital visas are designed to be more secure and immune to loss, theft or tampering, unlike physical documents. This could also help people avoid lengthy wait times for document collection or delivery. It further enables people to swiftly and easily verify their immigration status.
eVisas serve as a digital record of a person’s identity, immigration status, and any conditions impacting this status. For instance, it will display your rights in the UK, such as the right to work, rent or claim benefits.
People will be able to use a share code to confirm their immigration status to employers, landlords and during travel.
Biometric residence permits have already been superseded by eVisas as part of the rollout. The next phase of the rollout will see the replacement of wet ink stamps or visa stickers in passports.
Three groups of people will not need an eVisa despite this update:
- Visiting the UK with an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
- Exempt from immigration control, including if you’re a diplomat or have ‘right of abode’
- Have permission to stay in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
People who have the following can access eVisas:
- Any visa which allows you to be in the UK for more than 6 months
- settlement in the UK, also called ‘indefinite leave to remain’
- You have permission to be in the UK for 6 months or less and have a visit, work, study or transit visa
- You have permission to be in the UK for 6 months or less and have most types of family visa
Travellers will be informed if they can access an eVisa when they receive their initial visa decision. To access your eVisa, you will need a UKVI account. Dependents will require their own UKVI accounts to access their eVisas.
Between March 2024 and July 2025, 4.5 million people registered UKVI accounts to access an eVisa.
Some people may already have a UKVI account that was automatically created for them as part of their visa application. This includes those who have already replaced physical immigration documents with an eVisa or applied to the EU Settlement Scheme. If you already have a UKVI account, you should not create another one but can try logging in online.
