United Kingdom transitions to eVisa as part of immigration system modernisation

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is developing a digital immigration system. This means the department is replacing physical documents with a digital record of an applicant’s identity and immigration status. This is known as an eVisa. The department is taking a phased approach to managing the transition.

Learn more about the eVisa

Since 2018, millions of people have received an eVisa. The department regularly publishes statistics on the number of accounts created.

Updating an applicant’s current physical document to an eVisa does not affect their immigration status or the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom.

The benefits of an eVisa include:

• Security and the inability to be lost, stolen, or tampered with, unlike physical documents.
• Applicants will not need to wait for or receive physical documents after a decision has been made on their application; however, applicants may still need to provide biometric information in person, and the authority will notify them if this is required.
• A faster and easier way to prove an applicant’s status at the UK border, and to share that status with third parties such as employers and landlords.

The authority will continue to share relevant information about an applicant’s immigration status automatically with certain government departments and public bodies, if requested, meaning the applicant does not need to do so.

What Applicants Need To Do

What an applicant needs to do depends on their circumstances. Check access to an eVisa at here.

Update

Applications from 30 October 2025

If an applicant or any of their dependants successfully applies for certain work, study, and family visas, or indefinite leave to remain on any route, they may not receive physical documents if applying from 30 October 2025 onwards.

Instead, applicants will need to access their eVisa via their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to view their granted permission before travelling to the United Kingdom.

Applicants will be guided on how to access their eVisa and whether they will receive physical documents.

eVisas have replaced physical documents for some main applicants on work and study visas for applications submitted from 15 July 2025 onwards.

Community support fund announcement

From 1 September 2025, the authority has provided additional funding of up to £400,000 for 25 national and community organisations until 31 March 2026.

More people can access an eVisa

Applicants can now create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access an eVisa if they have:

• Been granted a Vignette (FAV)
• Extended a visa but do not have valid identification documents, such as an expired passport or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).