UK Goes Fully Digital — eVisas Replace All Physical Immigration Documents
25 Feb 2026
The UK has completed its transition to a fully digital immigration system. From today, the Home Office has stopped issuing physical visa vignette stickers, Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), and paper entry stamps.
What This Means
All immigration status is now held as an eVisa — a secure digital record linked to your passport and stored in your UKVI online account. This applies to:
- New visa grants (no more passport stickers)
- Settlement and citizenship applications
- Visitor visas
- All existing visa holders (BRPs already expired in December 2024)
What You Must Do
- Set up your UKVI account at gov.uk/evisa if you have not already
- Link your current passport to your eVisa
- Update your account immediately if you get a new passport
- Generate share codes when you need to prove your status to employers or landlords
Travel Considerations
Airlines and border officers will check your immigration status digitally. If your eVisa is not set up or not linked to the passport you are travelling with, you may be denied boarding — even if you have valid immigration permission.
Benefits of the Digital System
The Home Office says digital status will:
- Reduce document fraud
- Allow faster border processing
- Eliminate the need to leave your passport at visa application centres
- Provide a permanent, accessible record of your status
Important Reminder
If your BRP expired on 31 December 2024, you have until 30 June 2026 to set up your eVisa. Do not wait — do it now to avoid travel disruptions.
Source: eVisas: access and use your online immigration status (GOV.UK)