The UK is shifting from physical immigration documents to a fully digital permission system in 2026. From 25 February 2026 the Home Office will stop issuing most physical visa documents — including new Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) for many categories — and will instead deliver eVisas linked to the holder’s passport via a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. Here’s who’s affected, how to apply, what you’ll pay, and the steps to make the switch without hassle.

Quick-reference summary

  • Key date: 25 February 2026 — eVisas issued for visitor and many other visa types, Home Office says.
  • Main sites: gov.uk (especially https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permit and https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa) and the UKVI account hub.
  • Typical processing: around 15 working days for standard decisions from outside the UK; priority services available for a fee.
  • Fees to expect: standard visitor application £100; student visa £363; Skilled Worker fee from £625–£1,423 (depending on circumstances); Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) from £470–£624 per year.
  • Existing BRP holders: Home Office says current physical holders will be moved to digital records without applying again — check your UKVI account.

Eligibility

This transition affects people whose immigration status is proved by a BRP, BRC or visa vignette. According to the Home Office, eVisas will replace many physical documents for visitors, students, workers and dependants. Who qualifies and what you must show:

  • Visitor visas: anyone applying for a standard visitor visa from abroad will receive an eVisa linked to their passport from 25 February 2026. Usual eligibility — valid passport, purpose of visit, funds to cover stay — still applies.
  • Student visas: applicants need a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor, proof of funds, and meet English-language requirements. Where this policy applies, your application will get you an eVisa instead of a BRP for your first entry.
  • Work visas (eg, Skilled Worker): applicants need a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer and to meet salary and maintenance thresholds. The eVisa will show right to work and length of stay.
  • Family and settlement routes: many routes will move to digital evidence, though settlement decisions and Indefinite Leave to Remain will continue to carry formal documentation within UKVI records.

There are still specific rules that apply to certain nationalities and medical checks (for example, a tuberculosis test is required for some applicants). Check the detailed eligibility pages on gov.uk and confirm whether a physical BRP would previously have been issued for your route.

Application process — step by step

Basically, from now until the rollout, follow the usual online application process. After 25 February 2026 you’ll see digital steps and a UKVI account link to confirm your eVisa. Steps below show exactly what to do.

  1. Check the route and documents. Visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa to confirm the visa category, documents required and whether you need a tuberculosis (TB) test or criminal record certificate.
  2. Create or sign into a UKVI account. The Home Office will link eVisas to a UKVI online account — create one at the official gov.uk sign-in page when prompted during your application. Make sure the email and password are reliable; you’ll use the same account to view and share your eVisa.
  3. Complete the online application form. Fill in details exactly as on your passport. Any mismatch between the passport used to travel and the passport linked to the eVisa can cause refusal to board or entry delays.
  4. Pay the application fee and IHS where applicable. Fees are paid online as part of your application. See the Costs section for current amounts.
  5. Book and attend a biometric appointment. You’ll still need to visit a Visa Application Centre to give your fingerprints and photo. The biometric collection remains compulsory; the difference is the Home Office won't necessarily issue a plastic BRP card afterwards.
  6. Receive your decision and eVisa. If approved, the Home Office will record your permission online and link it to your passport and UKVI account. You’ll get a confirmation email with instructions to view the eVisa in your account.
  7. Travel with the same passport. Use the passport linked to the eVisa. If you renew your passport before travelling, you must update your UKVI account and may need to request the eVisa be transferred to the new passport.

Costs

Many of the usual visa fees remain. These are the commonly used fees to budget for (official rates on gov.uk should be checked before applying):

  • Standard visitor visa (up to 6 months): £100 — the most common short-stay fee for applicants outside the UK.
  • Longer-term visitor visas: 2-year £361; 5-year £655; 10-year £822.
  • Student visa (from outside the UK): £363.
  • Skilled Worker visa application fee (from outside): from £625 to £1,423 depending on whether the job is on the shortage occupation list and the length of permission.
  • Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): generally £624 per year for most adult applicants; lower rates apply for students and under-18s (around £470 per year for students and children — check gov.uk for the latest bands).
  • Priority and premium services: available at VACs and from UKVI for faster decisions — expect additional charges (prices vary by country and service type).

These figures are the typical charges; some categories have different fees or exemptions. Visit the official fees page on gov.uk and the specific route pages: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration and https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permit for up-to-date rates.

Timeline

Here’s what to expect, timing-wise:

  • Decision times: typical decisions for standard visitor, student and most work visas are around 15 working days (three weeks) when applying from overseas. Some national VACs take longer at peak times.
  • Priority services: available in many countries — where offered you can get a faster decision (for example, five working days or same-day ‘super priority’ in some centres) for an extra fee. Availability depends on the VAC and local arrangements.
  • Biometrics appointment: generally within days of booking; don’t leave it until the last minute. You must attend in person.
  • Transition date: from 25 February 2026 eVisas will be issued for visitor and many other routes. Airlines and Border Force will check digital permissions on boarding and at arrival.
  • Existing BRP holders: the Home Office has said that people holding existing physical BRPs will be migrated into the digital system without needing to reapply. It’s still essential to check your UKVI account after the transition to confirm your digital record and to update passport details after renewals.

Tips

  • Use the official gov.uk site. Always start at https://www.gov.uk — other sites may charge extra for simple actions.
  • Match passports. Travel only on the passport linked to your eVisa. If you renew, update the UKVI account and carry both passports if the eVisa hasn’t been transferred yet.
  • Set up the UKVI account early. Create the account before booking flights so you can confirm the eVisa is active and show it to your airline if asked at check‑in.
  • Keep proof. Download and save the confirmation emails and screenshots of the eVisa page in your UKVI account. You might need to share a short code with employers, universities or landlords — the digital record makes this simple.
  • Plan for processing peaks. Apply well ahead of your travel date — the 15 working day average can stretch at busy times.
  • Check employer/university procedures. They may need a short online share code or to view your eVisa in the UKVI system to confirm right to work or study.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using a different passport for travel than the one linked to your eVisa — airlines may refuse boarding.
  • Assuming the digital record is error-free — check your name spelling, dates and conditions as soon as the eVisa appears in your account.
  • Leaving biometric enrolment to the last minute — appointments can be fully booked in some cities.
  • Paying third parties for mundane tasks — you don’t need an expensive agent to create a UKVI account or to view an eVisa.
  • Overlooking IHS. Many applicants forget to factor the Immigration Health Surcharge into total cost; it’s paid as part of the application and can be hundreds of pounds per year.

Related Articles

The move from BRP cards to eVisas is a big administrative change, but the practical steps are familiar: apply online, provide biometrics, and watch for a confirmation in your UKVI account. The Home Office has set 25 February 2026 as the milestone for issuing eVisas to many travellers — check https://www.gov.uk and your UKVI account well before you travel. If you’re already a BRP holder, check your digital status after the transition and keep passport details up to date so the eVisa links correctly when you fly.

This article was created with AI assistance.