On June 15, UK's Home Office introduced an electronic visa, or eVisa in an attempt to fully digitise the UK's immigration system. This is accessible through a UK Visas and Immigration account. Non-European nationals granted UK entry clearance through work and specific other visa routes now no longer receive a physical visa sticker in their passports.
This change applies to those applying under the Skilled Worker (including Health and Care), Global Business Mobility, Global Talent, International Sportsperson, Temporary Worker (including Creative Workers and Government Authorised Exchange), Youth Mobility Scheme, and Student visa categories, according to the UK Home Office guidance.
The eVisa serves as a digital record of a migrant’s immigration status, replacing several physical documents such as biometric residence permits (BRPs), biometric residence cards (BRCs), passport endorsements, and visa vignette stickers. This rollout builds on earlier implementation through the EU Settlement Scheme.
Children under 18 must also have individual UKVI accounts, with parents or guardians managing them where necessary.
Reducing travel restrictions and courier delays, applicants under these routes will no longer need to hand over their passports at visa application centres for visa vignette placement. Though they may still be called for an interview on short notice, they can remain mobile during the processing period. They can :
Create a UKVI account
Link their current passport to their eVisa
Check their account for accuracy
Generate and carry an ‘S’ share code in case their eVisa is not viewable while travelling
Dependents of main applicants and applicants with stays under 90 days will continue to receive vignette stickers in their passports.
Employers are required to:
1.Verify that new employees have completed all steps in the pre-travel checklist
2.Conduct right-to-work checks online using the eVisa system
3.Guide applicants with dependants on the differing procedures for family members
If the eVisa is not properly linked, carriers may refuse boarding. Expired BRPs and BRCs are no longer valid for travel. Travellers must ensure their eVisa is linked to a valid passport before entering the UK.
With parents or guardians managing them where necessary, children under 18 must also have individual UKVI accounts.
Applicants on the platform can:
View their visa status and expiry
Share their immigration status with landlords or employers using time-bound share codes
Update personal and travel document details
Expired BRPs and BRCs are no longer valid for travel. Travellers must ensure their eVisa is linked to a valid passport before entering the UK. If the eVisa is not properly linked, carriers may refuse boarding. The Home Office said, “Updating your physical document to an eVisa does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK.”
