UK Visas and Immigration has completed a major stage in the transition from physical immigration documents to digital immigration status.
From 1 July 2026, UKVI stopped routinely issuing visa vignettes, commonly known as visa stickers, to successful new applicants. Successful applicants are now generally issued digital evidence of their immigration permission, most commonly an eVisa.
This change affects people applying for UK visitor visas, work visas, family visas and many other forms of entry clearance. Applicants, employers and business travellers should understand how the system works and take practical steps before travelling to the UK.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is a digital record of a person’s:
identity;
UK immigration status;
period of permission; and
conditions of stay.
It replaces the need to rely on a physical visa sticker or biometric residence permit as the principal evidence of immigration status.
An eVisa is accessed through a UK Visas and Immigration account, usually referred to as a UKVI account. The account holder can use the online service to view their status and, where required, generate a share code to prove their right to work, rent property or access certain services.
An eVisa does not change the person’s underlying immigration permission. It changes how that permission is recorded and demonstrated.
What changed on 1 July 2026?
Before the change, many successful overseas applicants received a physical visa vignette in their passport, allowing them to travel to the UK.
From 1 July 2026, UKVI stopped routinely issuing these visa stickers to successful new applicants. Successful applicants now receive digital evidence of their immigration permission instead.
Where an applicant attended a Visa Application Centre and the centre retained their passport, the passport may be returned while the application is still being processed. Applicants should wait to be contacted by the Visa Application Centre before attempting to collect it.
Applicants should not assume that the return of their passport means that a decision has been made. The formal decision will normally be communicated separately.
Is the visa application process changing?
The main eligibility requirements for each immigration route remain unchanged. Applicants must still:
complete the appropriate online application;
pay the relevant application charges;
provide supporting documents;
prove their identity; and
attend a Visa Application Centre or use an identity-checking application where instructed.
For example, a person applying for a Standard Visitor visa must still apply online before travelling and, where required, attend a Visa Application Centre to provide their biometric information.
The principal change is how successful immigration permission is issued and accessed after a decision has been made.
A visa application account is not necessarily a UKVI account
Applicants should be aware that the login details used to complete a visa application are not always the same as having a fully established UKVI account through which an eVisa can be accessed.
The Home Office decision email or letter should explain whether the applicant:
already has a UKVI account;
needs to create one; or
needs to link the granted immigration permission to an existing account.
Applicants who do not have a UKVI account must create one before they can access their eVisa. Each dependant, including a spouse or child, will generally require their own UKVI account and eVisa.
What should applicants do after receiving a successful decision?
A successful applicant should carefully read the complete Home Office decision letter rather than relying only on the first paragraph confirming approval.
The applicant should then:
Create or access their UKVI account.
View the eVisa and check the immigration category, validity dates and conditions.
Confirm that their name, date of birth, nationality and passport details are correct.
Make sure that the passport they intend to use for travel is linked to the UKVI account.
Report any errors before travelling.
The Home Office advises applicants to access their eVisa and check their immigration permission before travelling to the UK.
Check the visa category and validity dates
Applicants should confirm that the eVisa accurately records:
the type of immigration permission granted;
the date on which it becomes valid;
the date on which it expires; and
any conditions attached to the permission.
This is particularly important for sponsored workers, visitors and family-route applicants, as the conditions attached to each category are different.
For example, a visitor must continue to comply with the visitor conditions and cannot undertake employment simply because the permission is now held digitally.
Any discrepancy between the decision letter and the information displayed on the eVisa should be reported promptly.
Make sure the current passport is linked
A traveller’s current passport or travel document should be linked to their UKVI account.
This allows airlines and other carriers to check the person’s immigration permission electronically. A person who renews or replaces their passport should update their UKVI account before travelling.
This is particularly important where:
the previous passport has expired;
the previous passport was lost or stolen;
the person’s name or nationality has changed; or
the person intends to travel using a different document from the one used in the visa application.
Travelling to the UK with an eVisa
Airlines and other carriers should normally be able to confirm a passenger’s immigration permission electronically using the passport linked to the UKVI account.
However, travellers remain responsible for ensuring that their documents and digital status are correct before departure.
Practical problems may arise where:
the passenger cannot access the UKVI account;
the eVisa does not appear;
the passport is not linked;
the passenger is travelling on a new passport;
the personal information on the eVisa is incorrect; or
the carrier cannot confirm the person’s permission automatically.
Although a decision letter confirms the outcome of an application, it may state that it is not itself proof of permission to travel. The traveller should follow the instructions in the decision letter and ensure that the eVisa is accessible before departure.
Travellers must also continue to check the entry, transit and visa requirements of any other country through which they will travel. A UK eVisa does not remove the need for a transit visa or other permission required by another country.
What should applicants do if the eVisa contains an error?
The Home Office provides a dedicated service for reporting an eVisa error.
This service may be used where:
the eVisa shows the wrong name or date of birth;
the wrong immigration category or expiry date is displayed;
the applicant can view the eVisa but cannot generate a share code;
the applicant cannot view the eVisa because of a technical problem; or
the Home Office created the UKVI account but the applicant has never been able to access it.
Applicants should report the problem as soon as possible and, where possible, before making firm travel arrangements.
A person should not create multiple UKVI accounts in an attempt to resolve a problem unless specifically instructed to do so, as this may make it more difficult to identify which account is connected to the immigration permission.
Proving the right to work or rent
An eVisa can also be used to prove immigration status within the UK.
Account holders can normally generate a time-limited share code through the online “view and prove” service. The code can be provided to an employer, landlord or another authorised organisation so that they can check the relevant immigration status.
The share code required for an employer may be different from the one used for a landlord or another purpose. The applicant should select the correct reason when using the service.
Employers should continue to carry out prescribed right-to-work checks before employment begins and repeat those checks where the employee holds time-limited permission.
What does this mean for employers?
Employers arranging international assignments or business travel should update their internal processes to reflect the move to digital immigration permission.
Before an employee travels, the employer or mobility team should confirm that the individual has:
received a successful visa decision;
accessed their eVisa;
checked the visa category and validity dates;
linked the correct passport;
understood the conditions of their permission; and
checked any transit requirements.
A successful decision does not necessarily mean that the individual can travel immediately. The permission may begin on a future date, or an eVisa issue may need to be corrected first.
Employers should also avoid retaining unnecessary copies of an employee’s complete UKVI account information. Immigration checks should be carried out through the appropriate Home Office checking service and handled in accordance with applicable data-protection requirements.
Common eVisa mistakes to avoid
Assuming that the online visa application login automatically provides access to the eVisa.
Failing to read the full decision letter.
Travelling without checking that the permission has started.
Using a new passport without updating the UKVI account.
Creating a second account because the existing account cannot be accessed.
Ignoring an incorrect name, expiry date or immigration category.
Assuming that an eVisa removes the need to comply with the visa conditions.
Forgetting that each dependant normally needs an individual account and eVisa.
Does a person still need to carry their passport?
Yes. An eVisa is digital immigration permission, but it does not replace the passport or travel document needed for international travel.
A traveller must carry the valid passport or travel document linked to their UKVI account. Depending on the journey, they may also need evidence of onward travel, accommodation, business arrangements or permission to enter or transit through another country.
What about existing physical immigration documents?
The change from 1 July 2026 principally concerns the issue of new physical visa vignettes.
Some people may still hold older physical immigration documents or visa stickers that remain relevant to their circumstances. They should follow the instructions applicable to their particular immigration status and ensure that they can access any associated digital record.
Where a physical visa was contained in a passport that has been lost, stolen or replaced, the individual should check whether they can use an eVisa and whether their current passport must be added to the UKVI account.
Preparing before travel
We recommend completing the following checks well before the proposed departure date:
Read the Home Office decision letter in full.
Create or access the UKVI account.
View the eVisa.
Check the visa type, start date and expiry date.
Confirm that all personal information is correct.
Link the passport that will be used for travel.
Report any errors immediately.
Check the requirements of any transit country.
Keep a copy of the decision letter available for reference.
These checks are especially important for urgent business travel, offshore assignments, family visits and time-sensitive work projects.
Useful UKVI services
How Visa Professionals can assist
Visa Professionals provides immigration services to individuals, employers and international businesses.
We can assist with:
UK visitor visa applications;
Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility applications;
sponsor licence matters;
family and dependant applications;
UKVI account and eVisa issues;
checking immigration permission before travel; and
advice on permitted business and work activities in the UK.
The move to eVisas does not change the importance of obtaining the correct immigration permission. It makes it even more important to check that the digital record accurately reflects the decision and is connected to the correct travel document.
For advice regarding a UK visa application or an eVisa issue, contact Visa Professionals – Immigration Services.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration requirements depend on the individual circumstances of each case. The information is correct as at 29 July 2026.