Most UK Visa Applicants Applying from Overseas Now Get an eVisa Only
27 May 2026
If you are applying for a UK visa from outside the UK, you will no longer receive a physical vignette sticker in your passport in most cases. GOV.UK guidance, last updated 20 May 2026, states: "If your application is successful, in most cases you'll receive an eVisa only." This applies when you have visited a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to prove your identity, and covers UK visit visas and most other UK visa types.
Your eVisa is a digital record linked to your UKVI account, not a sticker in your passport. Before you travel, sign into your UKVI account to view your eVisa and confirm your immigration permission. You should do this before every trip so you can check your details are current and your eVisa is accessible.
Keep your UKVI account details up to date. If your passport changes or your personal information changes, update your account so your eVisa stays linked to the correct travel document. You can use the View and Prove service to share your immigration status with employers, landlords, or universities when they ask for proof.
If you have difficulty accessing your account or updating your information, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for support.
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