UK now issues eVisas alongside visa stickers, with full digital transition later in 2026

Visa stickers will be phased out entirely later this year

As of January 12, 2026, most UK visa holders now receive an eVisa in addition to the physical visa sticker in their passport. Later in 2026, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will stop issuing visa stickers entirely, and all successful applicants will receive only an eVisa.

The UK government announced the change as part of its strategy to move the visa system fully online. According to the UKVI, one of the benefits of an eVisa is that it is secure and cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with, unlike a physical document.

You will not need to wait for, or collect, a physical document after your application is decided – you might still need to provide biometric information in person.

Who can access a UK eVisa

You can access an eVisa if you have:

• Permission to stay in the UK for more than 6 months: Any visa allowing you to be in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland for more than 6 months, or settlement in the UK (also called indefinite leave to remain).

• Permission to stay in the UK for 6 months or less: A visit, work, study, or transit visa, or most types of family visas.

Travelers will be informed whether they can access an eVisa when they receive their visa decision. To access your eVisa, you need a UKVI account. Dependents require their own UKVI accounts to access their eVisas.

Most people with a valid UK visa sticker issued before January 12, 2026, can also access their eVisa through their UKVI account.

Who does not need a UK eVisa

You do not need an eVisa if you:

• Are visiting the UK with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

• Are exempt from immigration control, including diplomats or those with right of abode

• Have permission to stay in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man

What this means for travelers

If you recently applied for a UK visa or plan to apply soon, you will likely receive both a visa sticker and an eVisa. Once UKVI completes the digital transition later in 2026, you will only receive an eVisa.

For short visits to the UK, you may not need a visa at all. Eligible nationals can travel to the UK using an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) instead.

Learn more about the UK ETA