UK Visas and Immigration recently announced a change which will affect some future entry clearance applicants. André Minnaar, partner and head of our Immigration team explains the recent changes.
From 15 July 2025, certain application routes will no longer receive a visa sticker aka a vignette in their passport. Instead, the approval email will tell the applicant to set up a UKVI account to access their eVisa.
The following applicants will only get an eVisa (no 90-day vignette in their passport):
- Skilled workers (including health and care)
- Youth Mobility Scheme
- Global talent
- Students (including short-term up to 11 months)
- Global business mobility
- International sportspersons
- Temporary workers
It is important to note that dependants of the above and children, will still get both a vignette (sticker) and an eVisa.
The advantages of these changes in process are:
- You no longer need to hand over your passport to the visa application centre, as there is no need to place a visa sticker or vignette in the passport.
- It eliminates the need to visit the visa application centre to hand in your passport and to collect it again, which will remove any delay and save on travelling, or alternatively remove the need to pay for a courier service, adding more delay.
- It reduces the necessity for physical pages to be marked so you no longer need a blank page in your passport.
- You can now choose to travel within your home country or abroad while your application is pending. Although it is advisable to stay contactable and remain available on short notice, should you be called for an interview.
- Your eVisa, will confirm the full duration of your immigration status, from the outset.
- You will no longer need to collect a BRP card on your arrival in the UK.
Get in touch
Our team understand the law relating to immigration can often be complicated and very daunting, making it difficult to know which option is best for your individual and business circumstances.
Our team will discuss with you your needs and provide you with a fixed fee tailored to the service with no hidden cost so you know exactly what the cost will be from the outset. For assistance with your personal or business immigration needs please contact us on 0808 166 8831 or complete our online enquiry form and we will be in touch shortly.
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