UK replaces passport stickers with eVisas for some: What you need to know if you’re planning your travel

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. Instead, applicants will be issued an electronic visa, or eVisa, accessible through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. The move, that kicked off on June 15, is part of the Home Office’s plan to fully digitise the UK’s immigration system.

According to the UK Home Office guidance, 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.

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Applicants under these routes will no longer need to hand over their passports at visa application centres for visa vignette placement, reducing travel restrictions and courier delays. They can remain mobile during the processing period, though may still be called for an interview on short notice.

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Applicants must:

1. Create a UKVI account
2. Link their current passport to their eVisa
3. Check their account for accuracy
4. Generate and carry an ‘S’ share code in case their eVisa is not viewable while travelling

Applicants with stays under 90 days or dependants of main applicants will continue to receive vignette stickers in their passports.

Employers must now adjust their right-to-work policies. They 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

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.

The UKVI account is now the primary platform for applicants to:

1. View their visa status and expiry
2. Share their immigration status with landlords or employers using time-bound share codes
3. Update personal and travel document details

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.”

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.

Children under 18 must also have individual UKVI accounts, with parents or guardians managing them where necessary.

Those who have other physical evidence of indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or indefinite leave to enter (ILE), such as wet ink stamps or vignette stickers, are advised to apply for a no-time-limit (NTL) eVisa. Individuals eligible under the Windrush Scheme or those applying under the EU Settlement Scheme can also receive an eVisa.

The Home Office reiterated that, “Millions have already received their eVisas since 2018 and more categories will follow as we fully transition to digital status.”

Applicants are advised to follow guidance carefully, especially before international travel, and to keep both their passport and immigration details updated in the UKVI system.