The UK is gearing up for a major overhaul of its immigration system, with plans to phase out all physical visa documents and switch entirely to electronic visas from 25 February 2026, marking a full transition to a digital system that replaces paper-based physical evidence.
The UK government said in an official announcement that the move is part of a wider effort to modernize border controls, improve security and simplify travel processes by digitally linking each visa holder’s immigration status to their passport through a UKVI online account.
Under the changes, individuals who apply for a visitor visa or certain other visa types on or after February 25, 2026 will no longer be able to receive a visa sticker in their passport, the government said in an official announcement released last month.
Instead, applicants will need to access their eVisa through their UKVI account before traveling to the UK to view the permits they have been granted. The authorities will inform applicants how to access their eVisa and clarify whether a visa sticker will be issued in their case.
According to multiple reports, the government has been testing this approach for years and believes the digital system can help reduce administrative delays, prevent the risk of document loss and greatly simplify the process for travelers visiting the country.
what changed
The new UK visa rules will eliminate the use of physical documents such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) and paper stamps will no longer be issued.
— Visa stickers will be completely abolished in the second half of 2026.
— Existing holders of physical documents will be able to switch to digital status without having to apply for a new visa.
What are the benefits of eVisa?
According to the UK government, eVisa offers many benefits and ease of use, including:
— They are secure and, unlike a physical document, cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with
— Visitors will not have to wait for or collect a physical document after their application has been decided, although they may have to provide biometric information in person.
— This process will make it faster and easier to prove an overseas visitor’s status at the UK border and share their status with third parties such as employers and landlords.
What does this mean for visa-free countries?
From 25 February 2026, visitors from countries that do not normally require a visa, including those from the EU, EEA, Switzerland, USA, Canada and Australia, must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before traveling to the country.
— Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) costs £16 per person and is valid for multiple visits over two years or until the passport expires.
— Airlines will check for a valid ETA before the visitor boards the plane.
— While ETA grants permission to travel to a country, final entry remains a decision made at the border.