UK Visas & Immigration updated its eVisa transition guidance on 23 October 2025, confirming that from 15 January 2026 all new overseas applicants in the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility and Student routes must obtain a digital eVisa rather than a physical vignette. The update also clarifies that applicants will need to create a UKVI online account before travelling and will be unable to board a flight unless airline ‘Status Check’ systems verify an active eVisa.
The shift is part of the Home Office’s wider plan to eliminate biometric residence permits and entry vignettes by the end of 2026. UKVI says over 3 million migrants have already been issued eVisas, and a public-beta “share my status” portal will open in December for employers and landlords.
Practical implications for businesses are significant. HR teams must update right-to-work processes to accept digital status only, ensuring staff have generated the share-code required for verification. Global mobility leads should audit travel-risk policies: in cases of device loss or poor connectivity at airports, travellers may need contingency print-outs of their status confirmation email. Carriers will want to upgrade systems to interface with the government’s ‘Digital Status Checker API.’
UKVI reiterates that eVisa holders must notify changes of passport details online; failure to do so could trigger false alerts at e-gates and possible refusal of boarding. Companies are advised to integrate passport-expiry and status-update reminders into assignment-tracking software well ahead of the January deadline.
The shift is part of the Home Office’s wider plan to eliminate biometric residence permits and entry vignettes by the end of 2026. UKVI says over 3 million migrants have already been issued eVisas, and a public-beta “share my status” portal will open in December for employers and landlords.
Practical implications for businesses are significant. HR teams must update right-to-work processes to accept digital status only, ensuring staff have generated the share-code required for verification. Global mobility leads should audit travel-risk policies: in cases of device loss or poor connectivity at airports, travellers may need contingency print-outs of their status confirmation email. Carriers will want to upgrade systems to interface with the government’s ‘Digital Status Checker API.’
UKVI reiterates that eVisa holders must notify changes of passport details online; failure to do so could trigger false alerts at e-gates and possible refusal of boarding. Companies are advised to integrate passport-expiry and status-update reminders into assignment-tracking software well ahead of the January deadline.
