Highlights
- UK to shift to e-Visa from February 25, 2026, putting an end to paper documents.
- All e-Visa holders must create a UKVI (UK Visas & Immigration) account. It should be checked and updated before travelling to the UK.
- Travellers risk boarding refusal when the correct authorisation or documents are not held.
The United Kingdom (the UK) is all set to replace physical visa stickers and other visa documents with e-Visas from February 25, 2026. Visitors to the country will be issued e-Visas, which will be linked to a UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) online account.
Planning a visit? Check out our story on the tourist tax in the UK for a smoother trip.
UK switches to e-Visa: Here’s what you need to know
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.
Find out more https://t.co/qRjhei4gTO pic.twitter.com/jIsLi2cT3o
— UK Visas & Immigration Official (@UKVIgovuk) February 13, 2026
- The issued e-Visa will be linked to the traveller’s passport and stored online.
- Travellers will be allowed to create a UKVI account to access and manage their digital immigration status before travelling.
- Travellers will be required to keep the passport and other details on their UKVI account up to date.
- The UKVI account can be created at the official website. The process is free and requires your passport, BRP card (if you have one), email address, and phone number.
The e-Visa will help authorities to keep track of the identity and immigration status of a traveller, including whether someone is allowed to work or study in the country. e-Visas are also replacing physical immigration documents, such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRP). Biometric Residence Cards and wet-ink stamps/stickers will also be replaced by e-Visas.
The move is a part of the UK’s digital-border shift, which is replacing physical BRP cards for resident migrants and rolling out Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) for visa-exempt travellers.
Other changes in the UK’s immigration process starting February 25
- Travellers from countries that don’t require a visa to visit the UK will have to carry a valid electronic travel authorisation (ETA) from February 25. Carriers will deny boarding to those who require an ETA to enter the country, but do not hold one.
- British citizens, including dual nationals, are not eligible for an ETA. Such travellers are required to use either a British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement (CoE) for travelling.
- Exempt applicants will receive a Digital Record of Exemption instead of a physical sticker.
(Feature image credit: Jnpet, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
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Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Written By
Esha Dasgupta
Senior Digital Writer – Growth, Travel
Esha is a traveller at heart, with a penchant for exploring the unchartered. She has previously worked ..Read More
