From February 25, 2026, newly issued UK visit visas move to UK eVisa proof only. That means no physical visa sticker (vignette) in the passport for new approvals, and no paper document to show at the border as “the visa.”
This matters because airlines and other carriers will rely on digital permission-to-travel checks. If the passport presented at check-in is not linked to a valid eVisa (or an ETA where required), boarding can be refused.
Updated: February 2026
We update this page when UKVI guidance changes.
By CTN News.
Key points (quick read)
- When: From February 25, 2026, new UK visit visa approvals use eVisa proof rather than stickers.
- What’s ending: Visa vignette stickers as proof for new visas, growing reliance on physical BRP/BRC cards as primary evidence, and routine expectations of passport stamps as proof.
- What replaces it: The UKVI eVisa record (and an ETA for some visa-free travelers).
- What to do now: Set up or access a UKVI account, confirm the correct passport is linked, and know how to generate a share code.
What a UK eVisa is (and what it replaces)
A UK eVisa is a digital record of immigration permission. It sits in a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account and links to the passport used for travel. In plain terms, the “visa” becomes something the system can see when a passport is scanned.
UKVI describes the eVisa as an online record of immigration status and its conditions, such as whether work or study is allowed. The practical change is how proof works. Instead of opening a passport to show a vignette, travelers rely on a digital status check.
For the official explanation of what an eVisa is and how it works, see UKVI guidance on accessing an eVisa.
What is being phased out as “proof”
The shift doesn’t mean passports become optional. A passport is still the travel document. What changes is the evidence of permission to enter or stay.
As the UK moves to digital status, these items matter less as day-to-day proof (depending on route and timing):
- Visa vignette stickers placed in passports for newly granted visas.
- Wet-ink stamps as the main proof of entry conditions (stamps may still happen in some cases, but travelers should not plan around them).
- Physical residence documents such as BRP/BRC as the primary way to prove status.
UKVI has published rolling updates on the transition. The most useful single reference is Updates on the move to eVisas.
The “digital border tripod”: eVisa, ETA, and airline passenger data
The new flow is easier to understand as three parts that work together:
- Airline passenger data (API): Carriers send Advance Passenger Information from the passport.
- ETA (for some travelers): Visa-free nationals on certain routes may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation before travel.
- eVisa (for visa holders): Visa holders rely on the eVisa record linked to the passport used to travel.
In practice, the passport scan triggers a digital check. If the system can’t match a traveler to a valid eVisa or ETA, the trip can stop at the check-in desk.
Who is affected by the switch to eVisas, and who may not be affected the same way
The biggest change hits people who expect a visible, physical visa in the passport. It also affects anyone who has relied on a card or stamp as their main proof.
Likely affected
- New visitor-visa applicants who apply on or after the change date and receive an eVisa-only outcome.
- Workers, students, and family visa holders who need digital proof for travel and for checks inside the UK.
- Long-stay routes, especially where a vignette or residence card used to be the default proof.
- People transitioning from BRP/BRC to online status, including those who use those cards frequently for right-to-work, right-to-rent, or other checks.
May not be affected in the same way
- Travelers using an ETA instead of a visa (requirements depend on nationality and route).
- People with different documentation types based on their status and route.
- British dual nationals, who generally must travel on the correct passport (or hold the correct entitlement evidence).
Your situation depends on your nationality and visa route. Check your UKVI account and GOV.UK guidance.
One more practical note for travelers who want faster outcomes for urgent trips: some routes allow paid expedited decisions. Details vary, but this background helps frame expectations around timing, see UK Super Priority Visa Services.
BRP and BRC holders in 2026, what “digital only” means for daily life
Many people still carry a BRP or BRC out of habit. However, the direction of travel is clear: online status becomes the main proof.
“Digital only” usually means two things in day-to-day life:
- People prove status online using Home Office services, rather than presenting a physical card as the deciding proof.
- Employers and landlords often use the official online checking service and confirm status through the person’s digital record.
This is a shift in routine, not just a border change. A person who can travel fine can still run into trouble if they can’t access their UKVI account when a check is needed.
Gotcha: A valid immigration status is not the same as easy proof. If account access fails on travel day, it can still cause a “no-board” problem.
What to do before you fly, the step-by-step plan to avoid a “no-board” surprise
This is the section to treat like a pre-flight check. None of these steps cost money, and most problems come from small mismatches.
- Create or sign in to your UKVI account (free)
- Use the official starting point at UKVI eVisa access and use.
- Confirm the account email and phone are current, because codes and alerts may go there.
- Confirm your eVisa is visible
- Look for the status record and key details.
- Verify the name spelling matches the passport.
- Check validity dates and conditions (for example, work permission if relevant).
- Make sure your passport is linked and matches the one you will travel on
- Compare the passport number shown in the account with the passport in hand.
- If a second passport exists (dual national), double-check which one is linked.
- If you renewed or changed passports, update your UKVI passport details early
- Do this before booking or flying, if possible.
- Linking and updates can take time. Don’t assume it will update instantly.
- Re-check after the update to confirm the new passport appears correctly.
- Use “View and Prove” to create a share code when needed
- A share code is for third parties to view status (such as employers or landlords).
- Keep the code time-limited and share it only with the checker who needs it.
- Save a confirmation screenshot for your records
- Save a screen that shows the status summary, but avoid sharing sensitive details.
- A screenshot is not a replacement for the digital check, but it helps when explaining a mismatch.
- Re-check 24 hours before departure
- This matters most after any passport change, name change, or account update.
- Also confirm the booking matches the travel document you will present.
A quick skim of how this change is being reported outside official pages can help set expectations, but always default to UKVI for the rules. One example is this summary, UK eVisa news coverage.
The two most common failure points, passport mismatch and UKVI login problems
Small issues can block boarding because airline systems depend on a clean match.
Passport mismatch
- The traveler renews a passport after the visa decision.
- Check-in staff scan a passport that is not the one linked to the eVisa.
- Safe fix: update passport details early, then confirm the updated passport number appears in the UKVI account.
UKVI login problems
- The traveler can’t access the email or phone used for sign-in.
- A device change or lost number blocks two-factor codes.
- Safe fix: update contact details while still at home, test login on a second device, and keep recovery options current.
For a legal-industry summary of the change and common travel impacts, see eVisas replacing visa stickers in 2026.
What airlines and UK border officers will check (and what you should bring anyway)
Airlines and other carriers may run a permission-to-travel check before boarding. The carrier scans the passport, then receives an automated response based on whether the traveler has valid permission recorded (such as an eVisa or an ETA, depending on nationality and route).
At the UK border, officers can also check status electronically. Because of that, travelers should not rely on getting a stamp as the proof they entered on the right terms.
Even with digital status, travelers should still carry what normally supports their trip:
- Passport used for the eVisa or ETA check.
- Travel itinerary (return ticket, onward plans, or accommodation details).
- Supporting documents typical for the visa type (for example, school details for students, employer information for workers, or event details for business travel), if applicable.
The main takeaway stays simple: the trip depends on the passport being correctly linked to the digital status.
How to prove your status to an employer or landlord, share codes and online checks
A UKVI share code is a time-limited code that lets a checker view immigration status online. It is commonly used for right-to-work and right-to-rent checks, and sometimes for other verification needs.
What to share
- Share code (time-limited)
- Date of birth (often needed alongside the code)
- Full name exactly as shown in the passport and UKVI record
What not to share
- Passport photos, full passport scans, or BRP images unless an official process requires it
- UKVI login passwords or one-time codes
- Screenshots that show account recovery details
For background on identity and status checks in the wider compliance space, this industry write-up offers context, UKVI guidance changes in 2026.
Common problems (and safe fixes) seen during the eVisa transition
Most issues fall into a few patterns. They are fixable, but they take time, so early checks matter.
- No invite email or confusion about setup: Some people expect a message before they can create access. Safe fix: use GOV.UK entry points and follow UKVI instructions for account access.
- Identity check app problems: Phone compatibility and document scanning can fail. Safe fix: try another supported device and follow official troubleshooting steps.
- Passport renewed after approval: The eVisa may still point to the old passport. Safe fix: update passport details, then verify the new number shows in the account.
- Dependants need their own access: Family members may each need to confirm their own status record. Safe fix: set up and test each person’s account access.
- Account access fails while abroad: Lost numbers and locked accounts are common. Safe fix: confirm recovery options before travel, and use official UKVI help routes if locked out.
Quick checklist
- UKVI login works on at least one device
- eVisa is visible in the account
- passport linked matches the passport for check-in
- email and phone on the account are current
- share code can be generated if needed
- booking name matches passport name
- re-check done within 24 hours of departure
FAQs: UK eVisas and travel checks in 2026
What is a UK eVisa?
A UK eVisa is an online record of immigration status and conditions, linked to a passport. UKVI and carriers can check it digitally.
Will the UK stop putting visa stickers in passports?
For new approvals from the changeover, UKVI moves away from physical vignette stickers and issues eVisa proof instead. Always confirm the latest scope on GOV.UK.
How do I prove my visa at the airport?
Airlines usually scan the passport and confirm permission to travel electronically. Travelers should still bring the passport and normal trip documents, but proof of the visa itself is digital.
What is a UKVI share code?
A share code is a time-limited code that lets an employer, landlord, or other checker view immigration status online. It reduces the need to show physical documents.
What if I renew my passport?
Update passport details in the UKVI account as early as possible. Then confirm the new passport number shows correctly before travel.
Do I still need my BRP card?
BRP and BRC cards are being phased out as primary proof, and online status becomes the main evidence. Keep any existing document safe, but plan to prove status online.
What if I can’t access my UKVI account?
First, try account recovery options and test login on another device. If access still fails, use official UKVI support and GOV.UK help routes as soon as possible.
Does this affect visitors too?
Yes, especially visitors who apply for a visa and expect a sticker. Visa-free visitors may instead need an ETA, depending on nationality and route.
Conclusion
The UK is moving to UK eVisa proof for new visas from February 25, 2026, and airlines will rely on digital checks. As a result, travelers should confirm UKVI access and ensure the correct passport is linked well before departure. For the latest updates, check GOV.UK and UKVI guidance, and use the checklist above if travel is coming up soon. If account access fails, contact official UKVI support rather than waiting until travel day.
This article is for general information, not legal advice.
Rules can change. Always confirm on GOV.UK / UKVI.
