From 25 February 2026, significant changes to the UK’s immigration system will take effect as part of the Home Office’s ongoing move towards a fully digital border. These reforms will impact visitors, non-visa nationals and British dual nationals alike.
The introduction of electronic visas (eVisas), the full enforcement of Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) and new travel requirements for British dual nationals mark a decisive shift towards digital status verification and pre-travel authorisation.
Below, we outline the key changes and what they mean in practice.
1. eVisas to Replace Physical Visa Vignettes
From 25 February 2026, most successful applicants for UK visit visas will no longer receive a physical vignette (visa sticker) in their passport. Instead, their immigration permission will be issued in digital form as an eVisa.
This forms part of the Home Office’s broader plan to digitise the UK immigration system entirely.
What applicants will need to do
Individuals granted a visit visa will be required to:
- Create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and
- Access their eVisa digitally before travelling.
Travellers will prove their permission to enter the UK by signing into their UKVI account, rather than presenting a physical visa.
By the end of 2026, the Home Office intends that all successful visa applicants applying from outside the UK will receive digital immigration status only, removing physical visa documentation altogether.
Practical implications
Applicants should ensure:
- Their UKVI account is properly set up and accessible;
- Passport details are correctly linked;
- They understand how to generate and share digital status evidence if requested.
As immigration permission will no longer be evidenced by a sticker in the passport, digital awareness will be essential to avoid travel disruption.
2. Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Becomes Mandatory for Non-Visa Nationals
From 25 February 2026, all non-visa nationals travelling to the UK for short stays (up to six months) will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation before travelling.
This includes nationals of:
- EU and EEA countries
- Switzerland
- The United States
- Canada
- Australia
- And other visa-exempt countries
This requirement ensures that all travellers to the UK will undergo digital pre-travel checks, regardless of nationality.
Key features of the ETA
- Cost: £16
- Validity: Multiple entries over a two-year period (or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner)
- Purpose: Permission to travel to the UK (not a guarantee of entry)
Applications can be made via the UK ETA app or online.
Carrier checks and boarding requirements
Airlines and other transport operators will be required to verify that passengers hold a valid ETA before departure.
Travellers without a valid ETA will not be permitted to board their flight, train or ferry to the UK.
It is important to note that an ETA authorises travel only. Final admission to the UK remains at the discretion of a Border Force officer upon arrival.
What travellers should consider
- Apply well in advance of travel;
- Ensure passport details match the ETA application exactly;
- Check validity before each journey, particularly if a passport has been renewed.
3. New Travel Requirements for British Dual Nationals
From 25 February 2026, British dual nationals must travel to the UK using:
- A valid British passport, or
- A valid Irish passport, or
- A Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode (CoE) endorsed in their non-British passport.
This change reinforces the requirement for British citizens to evidence their status appropriately when entering the UK.
Risks of travelling on a foreign passport alone
Dual nationals who attempt to travel solely on their non-British passport without a CoE may:
- Experience delays at the UK border;
- Be subject to additional nationality verification checks;
- Face difficulty boarding their transport;
- Be refused boarding until their British nationality is confirmed.
Carriers are increasingly required to conduct pre-departure checks, meaning issues may arise before arrival in the UK.
Practical advice for dual nationals
Those who hold British citizenship but travel on another nationality’s passport should ensure:
- Their British passport is valid; or
- They have secured a Certificate of Entitlement if not travelling on a British passport.
Failure to do so may result in unnecessary complications.
Conclusion
The changes coming into force on 25 February 2026 represent one of the most significant shifts in UK border administration in recent years.
The replacement of physical visa vignettes with eVisas, the mandatory rollout of ETAs for all non-visa nationals and stricter travel documentation requirements for British dual nationals collectively signal a fully digital and pre-authorised border regime.
Travellers, visa applicants and dual nationals should prepare well in advance by ensuring their documentation is valid, digital accounts are correctly configured and travel permissions are secured before departure.
As the UK immigration system becomes increasingly digitised, careful preparation will be essential to avoid delays, disruption or refused boarding. Professional advice may be advisable where circumstances are complex or documentation is unclear.
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With over 20 years of experience and a commitment to excellence, Morgan Smith Immigration is your trusted partner for all your immigration needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you with UK visa applications. For enquiries or assistance, call us at 0203 959 3335 or email [email protected].
