The End of the Passport Sticker
The United Kingdom has officially moved to a fully digital immigration system, a major change for Indian travellers. Since February 25, 2026, anyone from India applying for a UK visa no longer receives a physical vignette sticker in their passport. Instead,
your permission to travel is recorded as a secure online immigration record known as an eVisa. This digital status is linked directly to your passport number and is held in your personal UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. The change is part of a broader initiative to modernise the UK border, making it more secure and streamlined. For travellers, this means you get to keep your passport during the visa processing period, which was not possible under the old system.
What Is an eVisa and How Does It Work?
An eVisa is simply a digital version of your immigration status. It confirms who you are, what you're permitted to do in the UK (e.g., visit for tourism), and the dates your permission is valid. This digital record replaces not only visa stickers but also other physical documents like Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs). When you travel, airlines will verify your permission to enter the UK by digitally checking your eVisa before you even board your flight. This makes having the correct digital clearance mandatory; without it, airlines can refuse to let you travel. This system has been phased in, with over 10 million eVisas issued during the transition period.
Checking Your Status: The 'View and Prove' Service
The most critical new step for Indian travellers is learning how to access and check their digital status. This is done through the official 'view and prove' service on the GOV.UK website. To log in, you will need the passport or identity document you used for your application, your date of birth, and access to the phone number or email associated with your account to receive a verification code. Once logged in, you can see your eVisa and all its details. It is crucial to check that all your personal information, such as your name and passport number, exactly matches your travel documents. Any discrepancy could cause significant delays or issues at the border.
Your New Pre-Travel Checklist
This digital shift adds a few new items to your pre-trip checklist. First, after your visa is granted, you must create a UKVI account to access your eVisa. Before booking any flights, log into your account to confirm your immigration status is correct and that your current passport is properly linked. If you get a new passport, you must update your details in your UKVI account before you travel. Finally, while you no longer need a physical sticker, you must be able to access your digital status if required. While airlines and border officials check it automatically, knowing how to generate a 'share code' from your UKVI account can be useful to prove your status to others, such as employers or landlords.
A Note on the ETA System
You may have heard about the UK's new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. It's important for Indian citizens to know that the ETA does not apply to them. The ETA is a pre-travel permit required only for nationals of countries that do not need a visa for short stays, such as the US, Canada, Australia, and EU member states. Indian passport holders must still apply for a standard visa for all travel purposes, including tourism, business, or family visits. The cost for a Standard Visitor Visa for six months was updated to £135 in April 2026.
