Starting 15 July 2025, the United Kingdom officially mandates eVisas for all international students and skilled workers. This is a monumental shift in how the UK manages entry permissions and immigration records. Paper-based visa vignettes (the traditional stickers placed in passports) are now being replaced by digital records accessible via UKVI accounts.
This change is part of the UK government’s long-term plan to modernise its immigration system offering greater efficiency, better security, and enhanced access for migrants and authorities alike. Below is a detailed breakdown of what this new system entails, why it’s being implemented, and what it means for current and future UK visa applicants.
What Is an eVisa?
An eVisa is a secure digital immigration status issued by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that shows your permission to enter or stay in the UK. Instead of a physical sticker (vignette) in your passport or a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), your visa information is now stored electronically and is accessible via a UKVI online account.
Who Is Affected?
From 15 July 2025, the following applicants are affected:
- International students applying for UK study visas
- Skilled workers applying for work permits under the UK’s Skilled Worker visa route
✅ Important: If you’re applying for other visa types (such as a dependent visa or family visa), you may still receive a vignette. This change currently only applies to work and study visa routes.
What Has Changed?
1. No More Vignettes for Primary Applicants
Before July 2025, successful visa applicants received a vignette sticker in their passport from the Visa Application Centre (VAC). From July 15 onward:
- Applicants no longer receive a vignette.
- Instead, they will receive a digital eVisa confirmation via email.
- The passport is still returned, but without the visa sticker.
2. UKVI Account Now Mandatory
To access your eVisa, you must create a UKVI account. This account becomes your central hub for:
- Viewing your visa details
- Proving your immigration status
- Updating contact or passport details
- Sharing access with employers, landlords, or universities
➡️ Create your UKVI account here: https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
3. Biometrics + Passport Pickup in One Visit
Another major update is the streamlined Visa Application Centre (VAC) process:
- Submit biometrics and documents in one appointment
- No second visit needed to collect passport
- Receive email decision notification
- Passport returned without a vignette
Why the UK Introduced eVisas: The Reason Behind the Shift
This change is not sudden it’s part of a larger, long-term transformation. Here’s why the UK Home Office made this move:
✅ 1. Digital Security
Digital records are harder to forge, lose, or steal compared to physical vignettes or BRPs.
✅ 2. Efficiency for Travellers
Applicants don’t need to revisit VACs just to collect passports with vignettes.
✅ 3. Cost Savings & Sustainability
Reduces printing, plastic, and courier costs—supporting environmental goals.
✅ 4. Border and Status Transparency
Border officials and UK institutions can quickly verify status using shared digital access via UKVI.
✅ 5. One Centralized Platform
Immigrants can manage everything status checks, extensions, updates from one online account.
Benefits of the UK eVisa System
- 🔐 Secure Access: Only you control your eVisa through password-protected UKVI login
- ✈️ Easier Travel: Faster border entry and fewer issues with lost or damaged documents
- 📄 Digital Proof: Easily share your status with landlords, universities, or employers
- 🧭 Convenience: No physical BRP or vignette means fewer replacement issues
- 📧 Faster Communication: Visa decisions sent via email; no waiting for physical mail
- 🔁 Integrated with Upcoming Reforms: Aligns with planned removal of BRPs by 2025
What You Must Do Before You Travel
If you’re planning to work or study in the UK from July 2025:
- ✅ Apply for your visa as usual online
- ✅ Book and attend your VAC appointment
- ✅ Create your UKVI account
- ✅ Wait for a visa decision via email
- ✅ Log in to UKVI and access your eVisa before travel
- ✅ Carry your passport when travelling border officers will access your eVisa digitally
For Existing Visa Holders and BRP Owners
If you currently hold a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or are already in the UK:
- You’ll need to switch to an eVisa by creating a UKVI account
- The BRP will be phased out by the end of 2025
- Ensure your contact details and passport information are up to date in your account
What Happens If You Don’t Set Up a UKVI Account?
If you don’t create your UKVI account before travelling:
- You may not be able to prove your visa status upon arrival
- This could lead to delays at border control or even denied entry
- Employers, landlords, or educational institutions may not be able to verify your status
Final Thoughts: A Step Forward in Global Mobility
This shift is part of the UK’s broader vision to digitise immigration control, make systems smarter, and enhance the security of the nation while improving user experience for migrants. While change may bring initial confusion, the long-term benefits far outweigh the growing pains.
For students and skilled workers, this system means less hassle, faster processing, and more control—all from a simple online dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the UK eVisa valid for travel?
Yes. Border officers access your visa digitally through your UKVI account. You only need your passport.
Q: What happens to my BRP?
It will be phased out by the end of 2025. You’ll switch to a digital eVisa and won’t receive a new BRP.
Q: What if I applied before July 15, 2025?
You’ll still receive a vignette. The new rule applies to applications on or after July 15, 2025.
Q: Can I still use my eVisa if I change my passport?
Yes but you must update your new passport details in your UKVI account to avoid travel issues.