LONDON: The government of the UK has revealed that physical immigration papers for the majority of student and worker visas will be replaced with a digital proof of immigration status, an eVisa.
“An eVisa is a digital record of the individual’s immigration permission in the UK, and any conditions that apply, which can be accessed by creating and logging into an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account,” said an official statement.
eVisas are one element of a more comprehensive border and immigration system that will not only simplify the visa process, but is more secure, digital, and streamlined. eVisas are already tested and proven, with millions of individuals already using them on certain immigration paths.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE commented: “These reforms to the UK visa system will make it much easier for workers and students to demonstrate their identity and visa status. It also allows applicants to retain their passports, saving them time.”
Moving from a paper document to an eVisa has no impact on anybody’s immigration status or the terms of their leave to enter or remain in the UK.
E-visas are being introduced for the lead applicants, including Students, for short-term study for 11 months. Global Business Mobility routes (specifically, Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, Secondment Worker)
Global Talent, International Sportsperson, Skilled Worker (including Health and Care), Temporary Work routes (specifically, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, International Agreement, and Religious work routes), Youth Mobility Scheme
Holders can associate their travel document (e.g., passport) with their UKVI account to enable easy international travel.
Individuals who have established a UKVI account will be in a position to use the view and prove service to demonstrate their status safely to third parties, e.g,. employers or landlords (in England).
Who will need a sticker visa?
Candidates applying as a dependant or as a principal applicant for non-study or work visas, i.e., general visitor visas, will continue to require a physical sticker visa. All those with existing, in-date, physical visa stickers need not do anything.
This will later be extended to all routes of visa, meaning a safer and more efficient process for every UK visa customer.
