The UK government has expanded its digital immigration system by introducing a fully electronic visa (e-visa) option for dependents and family-route visa applicants, effective from October 30, 2025. Previously, visa holders, including dependents and those joining family members had received physical visa stickers (known as vignettes) in their passports. With the new move, these stickers will phase out and successful applicants will receive an electronic immigration status instead.
Under the new system, once their visa application is approved, applicants must create or use their existing online account with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) in order to access their e-visa. The e-visa will be linked to the passport used in the application and will carry the same rights (to work, study or join family) as the old physical document.
Key details of the rollout include:
- The e-visa replaces physical stickers for many categories including dependents, family joining visas, work and study routes, and settlement (indefinite leave) applications.
- Applicants will receive instructions via email after approval, explaining how to access their UKVI account, view their e-visa status, and share a status-share code with employers, landlords or other organisations.
- The transition is part of a phased approach to replace all physical visa vignettes and document proof by 2026, making the system fully digital.
Officials say this transition brings multiple benefits: It reduces the risk of visa stickers being lost, stolen or tampered with; it speeds up proof of status for things like employment or renting; and it aligns with the UK’s push to modernise immigration and border control through digital systems.
For visa-service providers and applicants: this change means fewer logistics linked to delivering physical stickers, shorter wait times after approvals, and a greater emphasis on creating and managing an online UKVI account. Applicants should ensure their passport information is correct and monitor their email for instructions post-decision.
The UK’s rollout of e-visas marks a significant shift towards a fully digital immigration system. This simplify the application process and reducing reliance on physical visa documents.
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