As of 15 July 2024, the United Kingdom has officially rolled out its eVisa system for applicants under study, work, and family routes. This digital upgrade replaces the traditional visa sticker, bringing a major change to how UK immigration processes are managed.
What Is an eVisa?
An eVisa is an electronic visa, meaning it is a digital record of your immigration status instead of a physical sticker in your passport. It is linked directly to your passport and stored securely in your UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) online account. With an eVisa, travellers do not receive any physical document but must show digital proof of their visa when flying and entering the UK.
What Indian Students and Travellers Must Do
The change affects new applicants from countries like India. Before boarding their flight, travellers must:
- Create a UKVI account using the same passport they plan to travel with.
- Link their visa to this account using their application reference number.
- Download and carry a copy (digital or printed) of their eVisa proof.
- Ensure all passport details match across documents and the UKVI account.
Failure to follow these steps may result in denial of boarding or delays at UK immigration.
What If You Applied Before 15 July?
Travellers who completed their biometrics before 15 July may still receive a 90-day vignette sticker in their passport. They must travel within that validity period. After arriving in the UK, they are required to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa and confirm their immigration status for longer stays.
Dependants, including spouses and children, may continue to receive vignette stickers for now. However, they will also be expected to transition to the eVisa system. The UK government has not yet confirmed when vignette issuance for dependants will end.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
Many issues can arise due to simple errors. Avoid:
- Using a different passport for travel than the one linked in the UKVI account.
- Skipping the account setup step after receiving the visa grant email.
- Forgetting to download or print the eVisa proof.
- Mismatched passport details on travel and immigration documents.
Being proactive ensures a smoother journey.
Why the Change Matters
This switch aims to streamline travel, reduce paperwork, and enhance digital security. Travellers no longer need to wait for their passport to be returned or worry about damaged or misplaced visa stickers. However, the shift also places responsibility on applicants to manage their visa details accurately and digitally.
The Global Context
The UK is not alone in going digital. Countries like Australia already use digital-only visa systems, and others, such as the United States, are exploring similar models. The UK intends to phase out physical BRPs entirely by the end of 2025, completing its transition to a fully digital immigration system.
Pre-Departure Checklist
Before flying, every traveller must:
- Receive visa approval and note the application reference.
- Create a UKVI account.
- Link the visa to the account using the reference number.
- Confirm that passport details match across all documents.
- Download and print the eVisa proof for travel.
This preparation helps avoid any last-minute issues at airports or border checks.
Whether heading to the UK for education, work, or family reunification, Indian travellers must now adapt to the eVisa system. Though the process is more tech-driven, it offers faster access, better security, and fewer delays – but only if followed carefully.
