The UK government's visa and immigration service (UK Visas and Immigration) is developing a fully digital immigration system. This phased process aims to replace physical documents with a digital record of identity and immigration status, known as an electronic visa or e-visa.
This transition to e-visas does not affect existing immigration status or the conditions of permission to enter or remain in the United Kingdom.
Electronic visa (e-visa)
There are many advantages to switching to e-visas: these digital documents are more secure and cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with, unlike physical documents. In addition, applicants will no longer need to wait for or collect a physical document after a decision has been made on their application, although it may still be necessary to provide biometric information in person in some cases.
The e-visa will also make it quicker and easier to prove status at the UK border, as well as to share this status with third parties, such as employers and landlords. UKVI will continue to automatically share relevant immigration status information with certain government departments and public authorities, if they request it.
You can check your eligibility for an electronic visa on the official website of the British authorities. gov.uk. Depending on your nationality, a visa may be required if you are traveling to the United Kingdom for extended visits (tourism, study, business).
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
The procedure is simpler and faster if you are eligible. It involves electronic travel authorization (ETA). European and American citizens can apply for this instead of an electronic visa if their stay does not exceed 180 days. The ETA is valid for multiple entries and is valid for two years from the date of issue. It is possible to travel for the following reasons: tourism, business, transit, conferences, visiting friends or family, medical reasons, or events. Since April 2, 2025, European citizens are affected by this formality.
From February 2026, all travelers eligible for the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) must have obtained this travel document.. A press release was issued on November 24 by the British government.
The timeline for the end of visa stickers
The most significant change concerns the gradual phasing out of physical visa stickers affixed to passports.
Total replacement in 2026: THE e-visas will replace all sticker visas in 2026.
- Early 2026: Most successful applicants wishing to come to the UK on a visitor visa or certain other routes will receive both an e-visa and a visa sticker.
- End of 2026: UKVI will completely stop issuing visa stickers to all successful applicants, who will only receive an eVisa.
Updates and new procedures
Several key dates mark the acceleration of this process:
- Since July 15, 2025: E-visas have already replaced stickers for certain primary applicants for work and study visas.
- Since October 30, 2025: If you make a successful application for certain work, study, family reunion, or indefinite leave to enter visas through any route, you may not receive a sticker. You will then need to access your e-visa via your UKVI account to view the permission granted before traveling to the United Kingdom.
- Since November 11, 2025: UKVI is starting to invite certain new visa applicants who only received a visa sticker when their application was approved to create a UKVI account to access their e-visa. Instructions will be sent by email. Once the account has been created, they will be able to use either the e-visa or their visa sticker to prove their status. Successful applicants who do not receive an email from UKVI do not need to create an account.
On the other hand, More travelers can now access their e-visas. and create a UKVI account, particularly those who have received a form to affix a visa or those who have obtained a visa extension but do not have a valid identity document (such as an expired passport or biometric residence permit).
Fill in a file from ETA United Kingdom
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