Starting June 15, the UK Home Office has introduced a significant change for non-European nationals granted UK entry clearance under certain visa categories. Instead of receiving the traditional physical visa sticker inside their passports, applicants will now be issued electronic visas (eVisas), accessible via a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account.
This move forms part of the UK government’s broader strategy to fully digitize the immigration system, enhancing efficiency and convenience for visa applicants.
Who Does This Affect?
The policy change applies to individuals applying under several specific visa routes, including:
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Skilled Worker visas (including Health and Care Worker routes)
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Global Business Mobility
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Global Talent
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International Sportsperson
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Temporary Worker (Creative Workers and Government Authorized Exchange)
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Youth Mobility Scheme
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Student visas
Benefits of the New eVisa System
Applicants under these categories will no longer need to surrender their passports at visa application centers for the traditional visa vignette (sticker) placement. This eliminates common delays associated with courier services and allows applicants greater mobility throughout the visa processing period.
While applicants can now remain mobile during processing, they should remain prepared for potential short-notice interview requests by UKVI officials.
This digital shift is expected to streamline travel preparations for many and reflects the UK’s ongoing commitment to modernizing its immigration procedures.
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