The United Kingdom is witnessing a historic shift in its immigration landscape. As of February 26, 2026, the Home Office has fully transitioned to a "digital by default" border. The traditional Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) and physical vignette stickers have been officially retired, replaced by the streamlined UK e-Visa system.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to the UK e-Visa, the UKVI account, and how these changes impact travel to the UK.

The New Era: What is the UK e-Visa?

A UK e-Visa is a secure, digital record of your immigration status. Unlike physical documents, the UK e-Visa is stored online and linked directly to your passport. This transition is designed to make travel to the UK faster and more secure by eliminating the risks of lost or stolen paperwork.

Why the UK e-Visa Replaced Physical Documents

The move to the UK e-Visa was driven by the need for a more modernized border. By using the UK e-Visa, the Home Office can provide real-time updates to your status, ensuring that travel to the UK is seamless for millions of visitors, workers, and students.

Benefits of the UK e-Visa include:

Security: A UK e-Visa cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with.

Convenience: You no longer need to wait for a physical BRP to arrive in the mail.

Efficiency: Border officers can verify your UK e-Visa instantly via your passport.

The Gateway: Setting Up Your UKVI Account

To access your UK e-Visa, you must have a UKVI account. This account is the central hub for managing your digital status. Without a UKVI account, you cannot view your UK e-Visa or prove your rights to work or rent in the UK.

Steps to Register Your UKVI Account

Identity Verification: Use the "UK Immigration: ID Check" app to scan your passport or your expired BRP.

Account Creation: Link your email and phone number to your UKVI account.

Linking Documents: Ensure your current travel document is correctly linked to your UKVI account to avoid delays during travel to the UK.

Who Needs a UKVI Account?

Almost everyone with long-term permission to stay in the UK now requires a UKVI account. This includes former BRP holders, students, and those on work visas. Even those who previously relied on vignette stickers must now transition to the UK e-Visa through their UKVI account.

Moving Beyond the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

For years, the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) was the gold standard for proving residency. However, as of late 2024, the Home Office stopped issuing new BRP cards. By 2025, most existing BRP cards expired, and the UK e-Visa became the primary method for verification.

Transitioning from BRP to UK e-Visa

If you previously held a BRP, your data has likely already been migrated to the digital system. However, you must still log in to your UKVI account to confirm that your UK e-Visa details are accurate.

Note: Do not discard your old BRP immediately. While it is no longer valid for travel to the UK, it can be useful for your personal records or when setting up your UKVI account for the first time.

The End of Vignette Stickers

For short-term visitors and new arrivals, vignette stickers (the physical labels placed in passports) were the traditional way to prove entry clearance. As of early 2026, the Home Office has phased out vignette stickers for almost all visa categories.

How to Travel Without Vignette Stickers

When you apply for a visa now, you will receive a digital notification of your UK e-Visa instead of a vignette sticker. Your airline will be able to check your UK e-Visa digitally when you check in for your travel to the UK, provided your passport is correctly linked to your UKVI account.

Impact on Travel to the UK

The primary goal of the UK e-Visa is to simplify travel to the UK. However, the burden of accuracy now lies with the traveler. If your UKVI account contains outdated passport information, you may face significant delays at the border.

Pre-Travel Checklist for UK e-Visa Holders

Check Passport Links: Ensure the passport you are using for travel to the UK is the same one listed in your UKVI account.

Generate a Share Code: If you need to prove your status to a third party (like an employer or a car rental agency) during your travel to the UK, generate a "share code" from your UKVI account in advance.

Update Personal Details: If you change your name or contact information, update your UKVI account immediately to keep your UK e-Visa valid.

Proving Your Rights: The Share Code System

A major component of the UK e-Visa infrastructure is the "View and Prove" service. Since you no longer have a physical BRP or vignette sticker, you use your UKVI account to generate a one-time share code.

How the Share Code Works

Log in to your UKVI account.

Select the reason you need to prove your status (e.g., "Right to Work").

The system generates a 9-character share code.

Give this code to your employer or landlord; they will use it to view your UK e-Visa status on a secure government portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use my BRP for travel?

No. As of 2026, the BRP is no longer an acceptable document for travel to the UK. You must use your UK e-Visa linked to your passport.

What if I don't have a smartphone to use the UKVI account?

The Home Office provides "Assisted Digital" support for individuals who cannot access their UKVI account or UK e-Visa due to technical or physical limitations.

Do I need a UK e-Visa for a short tourist visit?

Most short-term tourists (under 6 months) from non-visa national countries do not need a UK e-Visa. However, they may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Check the official GOV.UK website to see if your travel to the UK requires digital registration.

Conclusion: Embracing the Digital Future

The transition from BRP cards and vignette stickers to the UK e-Visa marks a turning point in British immigration. By centralizing everything within the UKVI account, the government has made travel to the UK more efficient for the digital age.

While the phase-out of the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) may feel like a major change, the security and portability of the UK e-Visa offer long-term peace of mind for all who call the UK home or plan to visit its shores.

Would you like me to help you generate a step-by-step guide on how to update your passport details in your UKVI account?