The UK Home Office has announced the final stage of its transition to a fully digital immigration system. From February 25, 2026, visitor visas will be issued exclusively electronically, eliminating the need for traditional visa stickers in passports.
This key change completes the multi-year digitalization of the UK visa system. From this date:
If a visitor visa application is successfully approved, the applicant will gain access to the eVisa through their personal account on the GOV.UK website (UKVI account).
A physical sticker will no longer be placed in the passport.
Airlines and border authorities will automatically verify the eVisa authorization using passport information.
On February 25, the mandatory Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirement for citizens of previously visa-exempt countries (including many European countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, and others) will come into full effect. Without an ETA in advance, boarding flights to the UK will be impossible.
“We are creating a faster, safer, and more modern border crossing system for millions of travelers every year,” Home Office representatives noted in a statement.
The full transition to electronic visas only (without any stickers) for all categories is planned for completion in 2026.
The UK Home Office urges all travelers to prepare for the changes in advance to avoid problems upon departure.