By Ghazali Ibrahim
The United Kingdom government has confirmed that it will fully replace traditional paper visa documents with electronic visas (eVisas) for travellers from February 25, 2026.
The move, announced by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), means that visitors who require a visa to enter the UK will no longer receive physical visa stickers or printed immigration documents. Instead, successful applicants will be issued a digital eVisa, which must be accessed online through a UKVI account before travel.
According to the UK government, an eVisa serves as a secure digital record of a person’s identity and immigration status, showing the type of visa held and any conditions attached, such as work or study permissions. Travellers can view their eVisa online and use a share code to prove their status to employers or landlords.
The shift to digital visas will also mark the end of the continued issuance of biometric residence cards (BRCs) and biometric residence permits (BRPs), which have already largely been replaced by eVisas in recent years.
In addition to the eVisa rollout, the UK’s digital border programme includes an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement for short-stay visitors from eligible countries, who must secure advance permission to travel or risk being denied boarding by airlines.
Government officials say the digital transformation is part of efforts to strengthen border security, reduce fraud, and simplify visa processing for travellers.
