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.

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