The UK visa is now digital! See how this change impacts those who are going to study or work in the UK
A major change is coming to UK immigration for work and study visas: after 15 July 2025, the famous visa sticker (vignette) in your passport will no longer be issued in most situations. The eVisa, a digital visa, will replace the current system, representing a further step in the modernisation of the British immigration system.
But what does this actually mean for international students? In this article, we explain everything you need to know.
📲 What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is a digital record that confirms your immigration status in the UK. It replaces the traditional physical visa sticker and will be accessible through an online account on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) system, a department of the British Home Office.
✅ What are the benefits of the eVisa?
According to the UKVI, the major benefits of the eVisa include:
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Increased security: the eVisa cannot be lost, stolen, or forged.
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Easier verification: it will be quicker and simpler to prove your status when arriving in the UK and when dealing with third parties like employers, universities, or landlords.
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Faster process: most applicants will no longer need to wait for or collect a physical document once their visa is granted.
🧑🎓 Who is affected by this change?
The new system is already being rolled out for the following groups:
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International students, including those applying for short-term study visas (up to 11 months);
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Participants of the Youth Mobility Scheme;
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Applicants under work routes, such as
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Global Business Mobility
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Global Talent Visa
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Skilled Worker
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Temporary Worker
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🧑🤝🧑 What about dependents or visitors?
Applicants for visitor visas or those applying as dependents will still receive a physical vignette in their passports. If you already have a valid physical visa, you don’t need to take any action.
📌 What should students do now?
If you plan to apply for a student visa to arrive in the UK on or after 15 July 2025, here’s what you need to know:
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After your visa is approved, you will receive instructions on how to create a UKVI account;
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Your eVisa will be available through that account, and you must access it before travelling;
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No physical documents will be issued in this case.
🌍 Why is this change important?
For many international students and professionals, the end of the physical visa sticker represents a milestone in the UK’s digital immigration transformation. The new format is not only more practical, but it also reduces fraud and speeds up border entry.
💡 A Tip from UK Student Solutions
At UK Student Solutions, we follow closely the UKVI updates to provide specialised guidance for international students. Our role is to help you choose the right course, organise your academic documents, and ensure that your student visa application process goes as smoothly as possible.
It’s important to note that we are an educational consultancy — this means we do not handle general immigration cases or provide legal support for other types of visas. Our focus is to support those who wish to study in the UK, offering help with enrolment, academic guidance, school documentation, and student visa (or short-term study visa) procedures.
If you’re planning to study in the UK in 2025 or beyond, get in touch with us! We’re here to guide you safely through this new digital phase of the UK immigration system.
🔗 You can find more information on the official UK government website:
Updates on the move to eVisas (gov.uk)
