Is the UK Really Replacing Visa Stickers with eVisas in 2026?

The United Kingdom is transforming its immigration system, and it’s a change that will affect every prospective visitor, student, worker, and settler. From 2026, the UK will stop issuing traditional visa vignette stickers in passports and fully embrace electronic visas (eVisas). This digital transition promises greater convenience, security, and simplicity for travellers, but it’s being introduced carefully via a phased timeline to ensure a smooth rollout.

What is an eVisa and Why Does It Matter?  

An eVisa is a digital record of your UK immigration status that replaces the physical visa sticker (also known as a vignette) previously placed inside passports. Rather than carrying a sticker, your visa information will be stored electronically and linked to a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account that you can access online. This digital record is used to prove your permission to enter, stay, work, study, or settle in the UK.

This change reflects the UK government’s broader initiative to modernise its border and immigration system by reducing reliance on physical documents, such as visa stickers and biometric residence permits (BRPs), which can be lost, stolen, or tampered with. Digital eVisas are more secure and easier to update, and they streamline border checks for travellers and officials alike.

The Phased Rollout: From 2025 to Full Digital by 2026  

Rather than an immediate switch, the UK is rolling out eVisas in several stages:

1. Applications from 30 October 2025  

From this date, if you make a successful application for certain visa types, including work, study, family visas, or indefinite leave to enter (settlement), you may not receive a visa vignette in your passport. Instead, you will access your visa via your UKVI account. Applicants will be informed whether they will get a vignette at the point of decision.

This doesn’t yet apply to all visa categories, and you will still be told how to access your eVisa if you are affected.

2. Invitations to Set Up a UKVI Account from 11 November 2025  

From 11 November 2025, UKVI will invite some successful applicants who previously received a physical vignette to set up a UKVI account so they can access their eVisa online. Once they have done this, they can use either their eVisa or their vignette sticker to prove their immigration status.

If you don’t receive this email, you do not need to take action; you can continue to use your current vignette until the full transition.

3. Early 2026: eVisas with Vignettes for Some Routes  

In early 2026, most successful applicants for visit visas and certain other visa routes will receive both an eVisa and a traditional visa sticker, marking a transitional phase. Additional guidance will be provided to explain what this means for travel and documentation.

4. Later in 2026: Full Digital Transition  

Later in 2026, UKVI will stop issuing visa vignette stickers entirely to all applicants. From this point onwards, every visa, whether for tourism, study, work, or settlement, will be issued as an eVisa only, a complete digital system.

What You Need to Do  

To prepare for this change:

• Create a UKVI account when invited so you can access and manage your eVisa online.

• Ensure your passport details are correct in your UKVI account so your eVisa is properly linked.

• Follow official instructions from UKVI when you apply for your visa, as you will be told how to access your eVisa and whether you will receive a vignette.

  
  

An eVisa does not change your immigration status or conditions; it simply modernises how your permission to be in the UK is issued and verified.

Conclusion: A Smarter Way to Travel  

The UK’s move to a fully digital visa system represents a major step forward in travel convenience and border security. While the rollout is phased to ensure minimal disruption, the end goal is clear: from 2026, eVisas will be the standard for all UK visa holders, eliminating the need for physical vignette stickers in passports.

Ready to apply for your UK eVisa? Contact Visa Roots for expert guidance and a smooth application process.

The information provided in this blog is accurate as of the date of publication. Immigration rules and policies may change, so readers are advised to check or connect with official sources for the most up-to-date guidance.