The End of the Sticker: What's Changing?
For decades, a UK visa was a physical vignette—a sticker securely placed in your passport. That is now history. As part of a massive digital overhaul of its immigration system, the UK has phased out physical visa documents, including Biometric Residence
Permits (BRPs) and passport stickers, for nearly all visa categories. Since February 2026, all successful visa applicants from India are issued an electronic visa, or eVisa. This isn't a new type of visa but a new way of recording and proving your permission to enter and stay in the UK. Your immigration status, its conditions, and its validity are all stored in a secure online government database, linked directly to your passport. This shift is mandatory and aims to create a more secure and streamlined border.
Meet the eVisa: Your New Digital Document
Think of the eVisa as your digital immigration profile. After your visa application is approved, you will receive an email prompting you to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. This account is your personal portal to your immigration status. Through this online dashboard, you can view the details of your visa—including the type, start and end dates, and any conditions like the right to work or study. There is no extra fee to create the account or access your eVisa. The system is designed to be more secure, as a digital record cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with like a physical document. It's crucial to set up this account before you travel, as this is now the sole proof of your status.
Proving Your Status: The 'Share Code' System
Without a sticker, how do you prove your rights to others? The answer is the 'View and Prove' service, accessed via your UKVI account. For situations like starting a new job, renting a flat, or even registering for university, you will need to generate a 'share code'. You log in to your account, select the reason you need to prove your status (e.g., 'Right to Work'), and the system generates a unique, 9-character alphanumeric code. You give this code, along with your date of birth, to the employer or landlord, who can then enter it into a government portal to instantly verify your immigration status. These codes are temporary, typically valid for 90 days, ensuring your data remains secure.
A New Airport Experience
The process at the airport has also been modernised. Airlines will verify your permission to travel digitally before you even board. When you book your ticket and check in, their systems will check against the Home Office database using your passport details. This makes it absolutely critical that the passport you travel with is the same one linked to your UKVI account. If you get a new passport, you must update the details in your UKVI account immediately, well before you plan to travel. Failure to do so could result in being denied boarding by the airline.
Key Steps for a Smooth Journey
To navigate this new digital landscape without any hiccups, preparation is key. First, ensure you create your UKVI account as soon as your visa is granted and link it to your passport. Second, always double-check that your personal details on your eVisa (name, date of birth, passport number) are completely accurate. Any discrepancy can cause delays. Third, while the system is digital, it’s wise to have a backup. Before you travel, log in to your UKVI account and take a screenshot or printout of your eVisa status page. This can be a lifesaver in the rare event of a system outage or if you encounter airline staff unfamiliar with the new process. Lastly, remember that each family member, including children, needs their own separate UKVI account and eVisa.
