UK eVisa System Now Fully Digital; Visa Vignette Stickers Ended July 1

Shift to Fully Digital Immigration Status

The Home Office has confirmed that physical visa vignettes ceased to be issued from 1 July 2026, with all successful applicants now receiving digital immigration status evidence only. The guidance introduces a new section on the Form for Accompanying an eVisa (FAV) and confirms that UKVI stopped issuing visa vignette stickers to new applicants on 1 July 2026.

This marks a significant shift in how the UK issues and manages immigration permits. Previously, successful visa applicants received a physical sticker—a vignette—placed in their passport. The eVisa system replaces this with a fully digital process, storing immigration status online.

What eVisa Status Means

Under the new system, visa holders must use the UK eVisa service to access and prove their immigration status. This includes being able to download proof of status for travel, work, study or other purposes. The system is designed to reduce fraud and improve efficiency by removing the need for physical document production.

Applicants who received their visa approval before 1 July 2026 may still hold a physical vignette in their passport; these remain valid. However, all new applications processed from this date onward will result in digital-only status.

What this means for you: If you are applying for a UK visa now or in the future, you will not receive a physical visa sticker in your passport. Instead, you will access your digital immigration status through the eVisa portal. Ensure you keep your login credentials safe, as you will need them to prove your status to employers, landlords, educational institutions and border officials. When travelling to the UK, have your eVisa reference number and proof of status readily available. If you already hold a visa with a physical vignette from before July 2026, it remains valid until expiry.

Sources

• Free Movement — Immigration Updates Dashboard
• gov.uk — eVisas guidance