Visitor visas will be issued as eVisas only starting February 25, 2026, marking the United Kingdom's definitive transition to a paperless immigration environment.
This shift replaces physical entry clearance vignettes with digitised verification, designed to enhance national security and operational efficiency for all travelers.
Understanding the UK eVisa System and Its Purpose
The Home Office is implementing a "Digital by Default" immigration system. This initiative will eliminate physical documents, such as the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) and ink-based visa vignettes (stickers), in favour of a purely digital status.
An eVisa is 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 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.
Key Benefits of the New UK eVisa System
The digital framework provides clear security and administrative benefits. Physical documents are susceptible to theft, loss, and forgery, whereas digital records remain securely stored on Home Office servers.
- 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.
Eligibility Criteria for the UK eVisa
The digital system's implementation follows a phased rollout. Specific visa categories will no longer receive physical vignette stickers in passports from 26 February 2026. Applicants granted leave under these routes will receive a digital-only status.
The following categories will transition to the mandatory eVisa format on this date:
| Visa Category | Digital Implementation Date |
|---|---|
| Visit Visa | 26 February 2026 |
| Seasonal Worker | 26 February 2026 |
| Overseas Domestic Worker | 26 February 2026 |
| Direct Airside Transit | 26 February 2026 |
| EU Settlement Scheme – Family Permit | 26 February 2026 |
The UK eVisa Application Process in Detail
The method for assessing a UK visa application remains largely the same, but the way a successful visa is issued has changed fundamentally.
Applicants must understand that the product received is no longer a physical sticker but a digital entry linked to their passport. The process involves online form submission, identity verification, and creating a UKVI account to access the final status.
Step-by-Step UK eVisa Application Journey
Applicants must complete the relevant online forms via the GOV.UK portal. The system directs the user to the appropriate identity verification channel based on their nationality and passport type.
After successful submission and payment of the Immigration Health Surcharge (if applicable), 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.
Creating and Managing Your UKVI Account
Accessing the digital status requires a specific action from the applicant. After visa approval, individuals must create a UKVI account. This account acts 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.
Required Biometric Information Submission
Biometric enrolment is still 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 that still mandate fingerprinting, must attend a Visa Application Centre (VAC). Even in these instances, the resulting status for the eligible categories listed above will be digital.
Core Documents 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.
Understanding the Cost of a UK eVisa
UKVI does not charge a separate fee for the eVisa itself. The cost is the standard visa application fee for the specific immigration route. Creating the UKVI account and accessing the digital status is free of charge.
| Fee Type | Cost Implication |
|---|---|
| Visa Application Fee | Variable (Depends on route) |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Variable (Depends on duration) |
| UKVI Account Creation | £0.00 (Free) |
| Digital Status Access | £0.00 (Free) |
Impact of eVisas on Existing Visa Holders
Current residents holding physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) face a deadline. All BRP cards expire on 31 December 2024, regardless 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 will not serve as valid proof of right to rent or work. The digital record will be 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.
The UK eVisa Transition Period Explained
The Home Office has structured the transition to avoid sudden changes, though specific deadlines apply. The phased removal of wet-ink vignettes for visitors and temporary workers is the final stage of this digitisation.
From 26 February 2026, the 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, however, is firmly toward 100% digital issuance.
Expected UK eVisa Application Processing Times
Digitalisation aims to improve processing efficiency, yet standard service standards often remain. The removal of physical courier steps (returning the passport with a sticker) should reduce the total turnaround time in many cases.
| Service Level | Typical Decision Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Standard Visitor Visa | 3 Weeks |
| Priority Service | 5 Working Days |
| Super Priority Service | Next Working Day |
eVisa Management for International Travel
Travellers and residents must ensure their digital records align perfectly with their travel documents. Airlines and UK immigration officers will 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.
Applicants must update their UKVI account immediately if they obtain a new passport. This action ensures a carrier's system can locate 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.
Professional Support for Your eVisa Application
Navigating the shift from physical to digital immigration status requires close attention to detail. Errors in the 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 work to ensure your transition to the eVisa system adheres to all Home Office regulations, safeguarding your right to enter and remain in the UK.
Key Takeaway for Applicants
The transition to eVisas for Visit, Seasonal, and Domestic Worker visas from 26 February 2026 is a permanent operational shift. Applicants must treat the UKVI Account as a mandatory component of their legal status, not an optional feature. Keep your passport details synced with your digital profile to prevent refusal at the departure gate.