UK ends passport retention during visa processing with the eVisa system.
With the ongoing rollout of eVisas, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has significantly improved its visa application procedure, which is a crucial step in the UK’s shift to a totally digital immigration system. The majority of UK visa holders will be affected by the move, which went into effect on February 25, 2026.
Traditional visa vignette stickers that are placed in passports have been replaced with eVisas under the new system. Passports will no longer need to be turned in and left behind while a visa application is being processed. Rather, clients will keep their passports following a single visit to a Visa Application Center (VAC) to verify their identity, provide supporting documentation, and enrol biometrics if needed.
More than 10 million people are already utilising safe and practical eVisas, which are taking the place of paper immigration status documents including visa vignette stickers and biometric residency permits (BRPs), according to UK Visas and Immigration. eVisas are now the standard proof of immigration status on the majority of UK immigration routes as the last stages of implementation are completed.
It is anticipated that the digital revolution would increase passengers’ flexibility by enabling them to keep their passports while they are being processed and apply for visas to other nations at the same time, making international trip planning easier.
The change, according to Srinarayan Sankaran, Chief Operating Officer-Global Operations at VFS Global, greatly improves the client journey by providing more convenience and flexibility. VFS Global, the UKVI global visa service provider, will keep assisting with the digital shift throughout its global operating network.
The Operation of the eVisa Process Candidates must:
Start their application by filling out the online form on gov.uk.
Make an appointment to speak with VFS Global.
To enrol in biometrics and submit documents, go to the VFS Global Visa Application Center.
Take their passport and leave the center while they wait for a decision.
The applicant’s registered email address will get instructions on how to access the eVisa if the application is accepted.
The eVisa System’s Principal Advantages
Passports are not kept throughout processing.
The ability to submit applications for UK visas in addition to those for other nations
The ability to apply from any country and visit the UK from any location after receiving an eVisa permission
Removal of waiting periods for couriers to return passports
Before visiting the UK, UKVI has recommended clients to register for an account, check their eVisa, and confirm that all of their information is accurate.
