Starting June 15, 2025, the United Kingdom has officially phased out physical visa vignette stickers for many categories of non-European nationals, replacing them with eVisas as part of an ongoing effort to digitise the country’s immigration system. The move is aimed at making visa processing more efficient, secure, and convenient for applicants.
This transition marks a major milestone in the UK’s long-term plan to modernise its immigration infrastructure by adopting digital technologies that enhance both user experience and administrative efficiency.
What Is an eVisa?
The eVisa is a digital record of an individual’s immigration status and now replaces:
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Traditional visa vignette stickers in passports
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Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs)
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Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs)
Instead of submitting passports and waiting for physical documents, applicants now receive their immigration status electronically via a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. This account becomes the central hub for managing visa information and must be linked to a valid passport used for travel and immigration checks.
Who Is Affected?
This new system currently applies to non-European nationals under several visa categories, including:
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Skilled Worker Visa (including Health and Care roles)
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Global Talent Visa
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Global Business Mobility Visa
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International Sportsperson Visa
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Temporary Worker Visa
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Youth Mobility Scheme
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Student Visa
Applicants in these categories no longer need to submit their passports to Visa Application Centres (VACs), thus avoiding delays caused by document verification, mailing, or courier issues.
How It Works
Once granted a visa, applicants will receive access to a UKVI account where they can:
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View their immigration status
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Update travel or personal information
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Link their eVisa to their current passport
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Share their immigration status with employers, landlords, or educational institutions using secure, time-limited share codes
Travelers must ensure their eVisa is linked to a valid passport before entering or exiting the UK. At immigration checkpoints, they must present:
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Their linked passport
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A valid UKVI share code
Failure to link the eVisa properly may result in boarding refusal, entry denial, or complications during immigration checks.
Special Cases and Exceptions
While the majority of applicants will benefit from the eVisa system, some categories are temporarily exempt from the digital-only approach:
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Dependents of primary applicants may still receive physical visa vignette stickers
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Visitors staying less than 90 days will also continue to use traditional visa stickers
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Children under 18 must have their own UKVI accounts, which must be managed by a parent or legal guardian
Furthermore, individuals with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) currently displayed on old-style visa stickers or ink stamps are advised to switch to a digital “No Time Limit (NTL)” eVisa. Similarly, individuals under the Windrush Scheme or the EU Settlement Scheme are eligible to upgrade their records to eVisas.
What Are the Benefits?
The UK Home Office and UKVI say the new eVisa system will:
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Reduce processing times
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Eliminate risks of lost or damaged documents
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Enhance security by using digital encryption and time-limited access codes
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Enable real-time status updates and easier information sharing
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Make the system more eco-friendly by reducing paper-based documentation
In addition, the eVisa provides applicants with greater control over their immigration status, allowing them to manage personal data or travel information without needing to visit physical offices or reissue documents.
What This Means for Employers and Landlords
Employers and landlords in the UK must adapt to the new eVisa verification process, using UKVI’s digital checking service to confirm immigration status. The share code system enables applicants to provide temporary access to their status, which can then be verified quickly and securely.
This system is designed to simplify right-to-work and right-to-rent checks, helping employers and housing providers comply with immigration requirements more efficiently.
Final Thoughts
The full-scale adoption of eVisas for non-European skilled workers and students is a significant leap forward for the UK’s immigration process. It aligns with broader trends in global travel and migration, where countries are increasingly turning to digital identity and visa systems to improve service delivery and security.
Although the new system requires adjustment, particularly for those used to physical documents, it represents a smarter, faster, and more reliable approach to managing visas and immigration status.
As the UK continues to roll out eVisas across more immigration categories in the coming months, both applicants and stakeholders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the UKVI account system, linking procedures, and share code verification methods to ensure a smooth transition.
