UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) announced on Friday that starting from 25 February 2026, the majority of individuals applying for a UK visa will utilize this system.
This digital platform is part of the UK government’s initiative to modernise border and immigration protocols while simplifying international travel for visa holders.
The eVisa replaces the traditional visa vignette stickers in passports and other physical immigration documents. Applicants will no longer need to relinquish their passports during the decision-making period, allowing them to apply for visas to other nations concurrently.
Typically, applicants will attend a single appointment at a Visa Application Centre to verify their identity, submit documents if necessary, and enrol biometrics, after which they can leave with their passport.
“Over 10 million individuals are already benefiting from secure and convenient eVisas, which are superseding physical immigration status documents like biometric residence permits (BRPs) and visa vignette stickers in passports. We are now in the final stages of implementation, with eVisas set to become the standard evidence of status for most immigration routes to the UK,” stated UK Visas and Immigration.
Here’s how the eVisa application process works:
- Initiate your visa application online on the official gov.uk website and complete the form.
- Schedule an appointment with VFS Global after submitting the form.
- Visit the Visa Application Centre to verify your identity, submit documents (if needed), and provide biometrics.
- Depart the centre with your passport; submission is not necessary while waiting.
- Await the visa decision while retaining your passport.
- If approved, you will receive an email with instructions to access your eVisa online.
- Create or log in to your UKVI account to view your eVisa.
- Ensure that all details on the eVisa are accurate prior to travelling to the UK.
Srinarayan Sankaran, Chief Operating Officer – Global Operations at VFS Global, remarked that this change optimizes the process for travellers. “The transition to eVisas will significantly improve the customer experience, granting travellers the ease and flexibility of retaining their passports, thereby enabling applications for other countries in the interim.”
Shift to Digital Immigration and Requirements for Travellers
The UK has mandated eVisas for Indian travellers as part of a broader initiative toward a fully digital immigration framework. Airlines have the authority to deny boarding to passengers lacking an eVisa, Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), or other valid travel permissions.
Immigration status is maintained electronically via the UKVI system, though applicants are still required to visit a Visa Application Centre for identity verification and biometrics.
Visitors from 85 visa-exempt nations, including the United States, Canada, and France, must secure an ETA before entering the UK. This authorisation allows for multiple trips and is valid for two years, or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner.
It is also necessary for transit passengers who go through passport control. British and Irish citizens, including dual nationals, are exempt but must present valid documentation.
UKVI has recommended that applicants create a UKVI account, access their eVisa, and confirm all details are correct prior to travelling to prevent any disruptions.
