Starting 15 July 2025, the UK Home Office will begin a major shift in how it issues visas. Physical visa stickers-also known as vignettes-will be completely phased out for a number of visa categories. Instead, applicants will now receive a digital eVisa, securely linked to their passport through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

Before we talk about how this will impact people travelling to the UK for work or higher studies, let us first ask the most important question.

What is an eVisa?

An eVisa is a secure, digital record of your immigration status. It holds all the important details, such as the type of visa you've been granted, the length of your stay, and any conditions that are part of your visa.

Unlike traditional stickers or Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), there are no physical documents to carry. Instead, your eVisa is stored in your UKVI account and is accessible online at any time.

Airlines and UK border staff will be able to check your status electronically, making the process smoother and more secure.

So, what does this mean for students, skilled workers, and others coming to the UK? Let's break it down.

What's changing from 15 July?

From this date, applicants under the following visa routes will no longer receive visa stickers (vignettes) in their passports:

• Student
• Skilled Worker
• Global Business Mobility
• Global Talent
• International Sportsperson
• Youth Mobility Scheme
• Temporary Worker routes

How to get an eVisa?

After completing your biometric enrolment at a Visa Application Centre, you'll be given instructions on how to set up a UKVI account, where your eVisa will be available.

If you're granted permission to stay for over six months or receive indefinite leave to remain (ILR), you must use the eVisa system to access and prove your immigration status. Anyone holding a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) will also need to switch to an eVisa, as BRPs are being phased out and will become invalid.

Note: Those issued short-term visas (under six months) may continue to receive physical vignettes for now.

Travel tips for students - manage your pre-departure checklist

If you're coming to the UK to study, be sure to:

Set up a UKVI account using the passport you intend to travel with.

Confirm your eVisa is issued and linked to your passport before departure.

Keep a copy of your visa decision letter (printed or digital) with you for immigration checks.

If your passport details change (e.g. new passport), update your UKVI profile right away.

Hold onto your expired BRP for now; it may be needed when setting up your UKVI account.

What if you applied before 15 July

If you submitted biometrics before 15 July, you may still receive a 90-day vignette in your passport. Be sure to travel within its validity. Once you arrive in the UK, you'll still need to set up your UKVI account to access your eVisa for long-term use.

Dependents (spouse or children) might continue receiving vignettes temporarily, but they'll also need to transition to eVisas in the near future. An exact cut-off date for dependents has yet to be announced.

Why the change?

The move to digital visas is part of the UK government's efforts to:

• Simplify travel and immigration checks
• Eliminate delays caused by document delivery
• Reduce risks of lost or damaged visas
• Strengthen digital security

While these changes offer greater flexibility, they also mean that visa holders must stay on top of their account access and details. Failing to set up or link your UKVI account properly could cause delays at the airport or border.

Confused or need further assistance?

At A2Z Immigration, we're here to guide you through these changes. Whether you're applying for a student visa or applying for a job/hiring an employee via the skilled worker route, our team can ensure you're fully prepared and compliant with the new process.

Contact us today if you need support setting up your UKVI account or need to understand how these changes affect your case.