UK eVisa Replaces Visa Stickers from 25 February 2026

From 25 February 2026, the UK eVisa replaces physical visa stickers for many visit routes. This pivotal shift means Kenyan applicants will receive an eVisa only, requiring a UKVI account and passport link for digital immigration status.

What is the UK eVisa System?

The UK Home Office implements a "Digital by Default" immigration system. This initiative eliminates physical documents, such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and ink-based visa vignettes, in favour of a purely digital status.

An eVisa functions as an online record of an individual's immigration status. It details the conditions of permission to enter or stay in the UK, including validity dates and any right-to-work parameters.

This digital record links directly to the holder's passport, allowing UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to manage border crossings with greater precision.

What are the Benefits of the UK eVisa System?

The digital framework provides clear security and administrative benefits. Physical documents are susceptible to theft, loss, and forgery. Digital records, however, remain securely stored on Home Office servers, reducing such risks.

• Enhanced Security: Digital statuses reduce the risk of tampering and identity fraud.
• Immediate Access: Visa holders can view their status in real-time without waiting for postal delivery of permits.
• Status Sharing: Applicants can generate "share codes" to prove rights to landlords and employers instantly.
• Border Efficiency: Carrier integration allows for automated verification of entry rights prior to boarding.

What are the Eligibility Criteria for a UK eVisa?

The digital system's implementation follows a phased rollout. Specific visa categories will no longer receive physical vignette stickers in passports from 25 February 2026. Applicants granted leave under these routes will receive a digital-only status.

The following categories transition to the mandatory eVisa format on this date:

How Does the UK eVisa Application Process Work?

The method for assessing a UK visa application remains consistent, but the way a successful visa is issued has changed significantly. Applicants no longer receive a physical sticker; instead, a digital entry is linked to their passport.

The process involves online form submission, identity verification, and creating a UKVI account to access the final status.

UK eVisa Application Journey Step-by-Step

Applicants must complete the relevant online forms via the GOV.UK portal. The system directs users to the appropriate identity verification channel based on nationality and passport type.

After successful submission and payment of any applicable Immigration Health Surcharge, the application enters the decision-making queue.

Once a decision is made, the Home Office sends a notification email. This correspondence does not constitute the visa itself; it informs the applicant of the outcome. The actual immigration status is held within the UKVI digital infrastructure.

How to Create and Manage Your UKVI Account

Accessing the digital status requires a specific action. After visa approval, individuals must create a UKVI account. This account functions as the portal to view the eVisa and check the conditions of the grant.

Registration requires the passport number used during the application and access to the email address or phone number provided. Failure to create this account prevents the holder from proving their status to external parties or updating personal details.

UK eVisa Biometric Information Submission

Biometric enrolment remains a mandatory component of the immigration process. Most applicants can use the "UK Immigration: ID Check" mobile application to scan their passport chip and submit a facial image.

This remote verification links the biometric data to the digital file. Individuals unable to use the app, or those applying for routes mandating fingerprinting, must attend a Visa Application Centre (VAC). The resulting status for eligible categories will still be digital.

What Documents are Required for a UK eVisa Application?

Documentation requirements vary by visa route, but the core identity evidence is standard. Accurate data entry is critical, as the digital system relies on exact matches between the passport and the UKVI record. For a detailed list, check the current UK visa requirements for Kenyan citizens.

• Current Valid Passport: Must contain a biometric chip for app-based verification.
• Email Address: Required for account creation and recovery.
• Mobile Number: Used for two-factor authentication login codes.
• Application Reference Number: The Unique Application Number (UAN) or Global Web Form (GWF) number.

What is the Cost of a UK eVisa?

UKVI does not charge a separate fee for the eVisa itself. The cost corresponds to the standard visa application fee for the specific immigration route. Creating the UKVI account and accessing the digital status is free of charge.

How Do eVisas Impact Existing UK Visa Holders?

Current residents holding physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) face a deadline. All BRP cards expire on 31 December 2024, irrespective of the leave expiry date printed on the card. Holders must register for a UKVI account to transition their status to an eVisa before this date.

Carrying an expired BRP after 2024 does not serve as valid proof of right to rent or work. The digital record becomes the only valid proof of status for long-term residents. Legacy paper document holders must also make 'No Time Limit' applications to digitise their status.

What is the UK eVisa Transition Period?

The Home Office structured the transition to avoid sudden changes, though specific deadlines apply. The phased removal of wet-ink vignettes for visitors and temporary workers marks the final stage of this digitisation.

From 25 February 2026, reliance on physical passport stickers for the listed categories ends. Before this date, a hybrid system may exist where some applicants still receive a vignette, depending on the specific post and processing capabilities.

The trajectory moves toward 100% digital issuance.

What are UK eVisa Application Processing Times?

Digitalisation aims to improve processing efficiency. Standard service standards often remain consistent, but the removal of physical courier steps should reduce total turnaround time in many cases.

How is UK eVisa Management Handled for International Travel?

Travellers and residents must ensure digital records align perfectly with their travel documents. Airlines and UK immigration officers verify visa status electronically before boarding and at the border. Discrepancies between the passport used to book a flight and the passport linked to the UKVI account can result in denied boarding. For detailed guidance on travel procedures, refer to our UK Digital eVisa Kenya Travel Guide.

Applicants must update their UKVI account immediately if they obtain a new passport. This action ensures a carrier's system locates the valid eVisa when scanning the travel document. Failure to maintain up-to-date passport details in the digital account is a primary cause of travel disruption under the new system.

Can Professional Support Help with Your UK eVisa Application?

Navigating the shift from physical to digital immigration status requires close attention to detail. Errors in initial account setup or biometric submission can lead to delays or problems retrieving your status.

Our team provides support for UK immigration compliance and digital status management. We ensure your transition to the eVisa system adheres to all Home Office regulations, safeguarding your right to enter and remain in the UK.

Essential UK eVisa Applicant Takeaways

The transition to eVisas for Visit, Seasonal, and Domestic Worker visas from 25 February 2026 is a permanent operational shift. Applicants must treat the UKVI Account as a mandatory component of their legal status. Keep your passport details synced with your digital profile to prevent refusal at the departure gate.