eVisas replace visa vignettes from July 2025: what you need to know

The UK Home Office is set to implement a significant change in its immigration process. Starting 15 July 2025, non-European nationals granted UK entry clearance under specific visa routes will no longer receive physical visa stickers (vignettes) in their passports. Instead, these applicants will be issued electronic visas (eVisas), accessible through an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

Affected visa categories

The transition to eVisas applies to the following immigration routes:

• Skilled Worker (including Health and Care)
• Global Business Mobility
• Global Talent
• International Sportsperson
• Temporary Worker (including Creative Workers and Government Authorised Exchange)
• Youth Mobility Scheme
• Student (including short-term up to 11 months).

Dependent partners and children will continue to receive a visa vignette in their passport, unless they enrol biometrics via the IDV app, valid for up to 90 days. If you are the main applicant, you will still obtain a visa vignette when applying for visas other than work or study.

Implications for applicants

The shift to eVisas offers several benefits:

• No need to submit passports to visa application centres for visa stickers.
• Elimination of the requirement for blank pages in passports.
• Ability to travel within your home country or abroad to third countries while the application is pending.
• Issuance of an eVisa confirming the full duration of immigration status.

Applicants are advised to complete the following steps before traveling to the UK:

1. Create a UKVI account (if not already done).
2. Log into the UKVI account and verify that all details are correct.
3. Ensure the passport intended for travel is linked to the eVisa before travelling.
4. Obtain a share code to present to the transport carrier in case the eVisa does not display correctly during travel.

Considerations for employers

Employers should be aware of the following:

• Conduct online right-to-work checks against the eVisa.
• Update immigration and right-to-work check policies to align with the new eVisa process.
• Advise workers applying with family members that dependants usually still need to attend a visa application centre to receive a visa sticker in their passport.

The introduction of eVisas marks a significant step towards the digitalisation of the UK immigration system, aiming to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. However, both applicants and employers must stay informed and adapt to these changes to ensure compliance and avoid potential issues.

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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