UK to issue only e-Visas from February 2026: What travellers need to know

From February 25, 2026, the United Kingdom will replace physical visa stickers and BRP cards with fully digital e-Visas linked to a UKVI online account, marking a major shift to a paperless border system.

• UK to switch to fully digital visas from February 25, 2026
• Physical visa stickers and BRPs will be discontinued
• Travellers must create a UKVI online account before travel

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In a major overhaul of its immigration system, the United Kingdom will switch to a fully digital visa regime from February 25, 2026, replacing physical visa stickers and immigration documents with electronic visas (e-Visas).

The move, confirmed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), marks a significant shift towards a paperless border system. From the implementation date, anyone requiring a visitor visa to travel to the UK will receive only a digital immigration status linked to an online UKVI account.

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/qRjhei4gTOpic.twitter.com/jIsLi2cT3o — UK Visas & Immigration Official (@UKVIgovuk) February 13, 2026

What is changing?

From February 25, 2026:

• Physical visa vignettes (stickers in passports) will no longer be issued.
• Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), Biometric Residence Cards, and wet-ink stamps will be discontinued for affected travellers.
• Eligible travellers will instead receive a digital visa (e-Visa).
• The e-Visa will be linked to the traveller’s passport and stored online.

Successful applicants will receive confirmation of their digital immigration status, which confirms their entry clearance and, where applicable, permission to work or study in the UK.

What is a UK e-Visa?

A UK e-Visa is a digital record of a traveller’s immigration status, replacing the traditional visa sticker placed inside a passport. It confirms whether an individual has permission to enter the United Kingdom and, where applicable, specifies their rights to work or study, along with any conditions attached to their stay.

The e-Visa is securely stored online and can be accessed through a UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) account. Unlike a physical document, it exists entirely in digital form and is verified electronically by airlines and border officials before and upon arrival.

UKVI account: Mandatory before travel

Travellers who require a visa will need to create a UKVI online account before travelling to the UK. The registration process is free of charge and requires a valid passport, a BRP card (if applicable), along with an active email address and phone number.

Once the account is set up, travellers must ensure that their passport details and personal information are kept updated at all times. Any mismatch between the passport and the information stored in the UKVI account could lead to boarding denials or delays at the border.

What about Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?

The UK is also expanding its UK Government digital-border programme, which includes the rollout of Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) for visa-exempt travellers.

From February 25, 2026:

• Travellers from visa-free countries must carry a valid ETA before flying.
• Airlines will deny boarding to passengers who require an ETA but do not hold one.
• British citizens, including dual nationals, are not eligible for an ETA.
• British nationals must travel using a British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement (CoE).
• Exempt applicants will receive a Digital Record of Exemption, replacing physical stickers.

It is important to note that an ETA is different from an e-Visa. While an ETA grants travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals, an e-Visa confirms formal entry clearance and associated immigration permissions.

Why the UK is going digital

The reform is part of the UK’s broader transition to a fully digital immigration system. The objective is to:

• Improve border security.
• Eliminate paper-based documentation.
• Streamline verification for airlines and immigration officers.
• Enhance tracking of immigration status in real time.

The programme is already replacing physical BRP cards for resident migrants and integrating digital systems across border control checkpoints.

With the UK moving firmly towards a digital border ecosystem, travellers will need to adapt to managing immigration records online. While the system aims to simplify verification and reduce paperwork, it places greater responsibility on travellers to ensure their digital status is accurate and accessible before departure.