United Kingdom To Modernise Immigration With eVisas And ETAs

Faster, Safer And Paperless Travel Experience

The United Kingdom is set to introduce a fully digital visa system from February 25, 2026, marking a major overhaul of its immigration process. Physical visa stickers in passports will no longer be issued. Instead, all visas will exist as electronic records, linked to the traveller’s passport and accessed online through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. 

The new eVisa system also ends the issuance of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) for new applications. Existing holders of physical visas or BRPs/BRCs will continue to have valid documents until they expire, but all new visa approvals will be digital. 

The digital system is part of a broader UK digital border programme, designed to make travel faster, more secure, and less prone to lost or damaged documents. Airlines and border officials will verify a traveller’s visa electronically by checking the online record linked to their passport, replacing the traditional passport entry stamp. 

From February 2026, visitors from visa exempt countries, including the EU, the US, Canada, and Australia will also need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK. This authorisation works like similar systems in other countries and must be linked to the passport used for travel. Travellers who renew their passports will need to update their UKVI account to ensure their eVisa or ETA is properly linked. 

The move to digital visas is expected to simplify border checks, speed up airport processing, and enhance security. Travellers are advised to set up a UKVI account well in advance and ensure all passport and personal details are accurate to avoid any complications at departure or arrival. 

This shift represents a major modernisation of the UK’s immigration system and reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to a digital, efficient, and traveller friendly border.