From July 2025, the UK will scrap physical visa stickers for many non-European skilled workers and students, rolling out a fully digital eVisa system. Instead of a stamp in your passport, your immigration status will now live online, linked to a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
Applicants must create a UKVI account and link it to a valid passport.
Immigration status, right to work, and access to services like banking or renting will be checked online using secure codes.
No more sending passports to visa centers, everything is managed digitally.
While the government says this move will speed up processing and cut paperwork, critics warn it could cause real problems for vulnerable groups. The system requires a stable internet connection and a modern smartphone, barriers for many migrants, especially those with low digital skills or limited resources.
The eVisa system relies on real-time database checks every time your status is verified. Any technical glitch or data mismatch could mean denied boarding, job offers, or even housing.
Migrants are more exposed to cybercrime, like phishing and hacking, which could compromise their immigration status.
There’s no physical backup. If you can’t access your UKVI account or generate a share code, you may be unable to prove your right to stay, work, or rent in the UK.
Advocacy groups say there’s little evidence of support for people with disabilities, older migrants, or those with language barriers. The Home Office has yet to publish full human rights or data protection impact assessments for the scheme, despite repeated calls from experts.
The UK’s eVisa system promises speed and efficiency, but for many, it could mean new risks and barriers. As the deadline approaches, migrants and employers alike are urged to prepare, and to stay alert for technical and privacy pitfalls.
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