Flying to UK? eVisa changes explained for UAE residents

NO MORE PASSPORT RETENTION AS UK ROLLS OUT DIGITAL TRAVEL PERMITS

- BY DHANUSHA GOKULAN

London Bridge is one of the UK's most recognisable landmarks. From February 25, 2026, most UK visa applicants moved to a fully digital system, replacing physical visa stickers with eVisas.

From February 25, 2026, most people applying for a UK visa have moved to a fully digital system, as the British government completed a major shift away from physical visa stickers.

The new eVisa programme, introduced by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), is part of a wider transformation of the UK’s immigration process, replacing passport vignette stickers and biometric residence permits with online proof of status.

More than 10 million people are already using eVisas, according to UKVI, as the UK enters the final phase of implementation.

According to the British immigration body, these changes have been designed to modernise the system, reduce reliance on physical documents and give travellers more flexibility, particularly in countries such as the UAE, where residents often hold multiple visas and travel frequently for work and family commitments. Here is all you need to know:

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is introducing eVisas, replacing traditional visa vignette stickers in passports.