The United Kingdom has announced that it will replace traditional paper visas with electronic visas (eVisas) for visitors and certain categories of migrants starting February 25, 2026.
Under the new system, successful visa applicants will no longer receive a physical visa label in their passports. Instead, visas will be issued electronically and linked directly to the traveller’s passport number. This means travellers will be able to travel to the UK without a printed visa document, as entry clearance and visa status can be checked electronically by border authorities.
The UK government says the shift to eVisas will modernise and streamline the immigration process, improve efficiency at ports of entry, and reduce the risk of forged visas. The change is part of a broader move toward digitalisation of the UK’s immigration and border systems, aimed at making travel easier for legitimate visitors while maintaining strong security controls.
Applicants will continue to apply for UK visas through the existing online visa application system, submit required documents, and attend any necessary biometric appointments. Once a visa is approved, the eVisa status will be stored digitally and accessible to immigration officials upon arrival in the UK. Travellers are advised to ensure their passport details are correct and that they carry the same passport used for their visa application when travelling.
The UK government has said that information on how to use and verify eVisas will be published on official immigration websites and communicated to applicants well ahead of the changeover date.
Starting February 25, paper visas issued for travel after that date will no longer be valid, and all new visa approvals will be issued electronically, marking a significant shift in how the UK manages its visa and immigration processes.
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