The United Kingdom (UK) has announced a major shift in its visa system, confirming that from February 25, 2026, visitors who require a visa will receive only an electronic visa (eVisa).
The announcement was made by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) in a post on X, stating that eligible travellers will instead be issued electronic visas (eVisas).
According to UKVI, travellers must create a UKVI account and view their eVisa online before travelling.
“From 25 February 2026, visitors to the UK, who need a visa, will get an eVisa only. Create your UKVI account and view your eVisa before you travel to the UK,” the statement read.
The UK government explains that an eVisa is “a digital record of your identity and immigration status – for example, the type of visa you have or if you have indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in the UK – and the conditions of your status, for example, if you’re allowed to work or study in the UK.”
It added that eVisas are replacing physical immigration documents, noting, “Biometric residence permits (BRPs) have already been replaced by eVisas. They will also replace biometric residence cards (BRCs) and wet ink stamps or vignettes (stickers) in passports.”
Travellers will typically receive an eVisa “when you successfully apply for a visa or other type of permission to be in the UK.”
Once issued, users can “view your eVisa and get a share code to prove your immigration status, for example, when you get a new job or rent a home,” and can travel after adding passport or travel document details.
According to the UK government, accessing the eVisa requires a UKVI account.
“You can set up a UKVI account if you do not already have one. You do not need to pay to set up a UKVI account or access your eVisa,” the UK government website confirmed.
