UK Work and Study Visas: Home Office Shifts to Digital eVisas from July 2025

Home Office Introduces eVisas for Work and Study Visa Applicants

The Home Office has announced that from 15 July 2025, non-EU nationals applying for work or study visas from outside the UK will no longer receive a passport vignette (visa sticker). Instead, applicants will need to set up a UKVI account to access their digital visa (eVisa) before entering the UK.

How the New eVisa System Will Work

Non-EU nationals granted entry clearance will receive guidance on accessing their eVisa as part of the application process. The shift to digital visas aims to streamline entry procedures, reducing the need for physical documents. This means employers will no longer need to initially conduct a “manual” right to work check for non-EU nationals applying from overseas if they start employment before their UKVI account has been set up (to access their eVisa). From 15 July, only “online” right to work checks of the eVisa permission will need to be conducted by the employer to evidence their sponsored worker’s permission to work in the UK.

Who Will Still Receive Physical Vignettes?

While work and study visas move to eVisas, dependants and applicants under other visa categories will continue to receive traditional passport stickers.

Applicants should ensure they follow the new process carefully to avoid travel disruptions. Employers should update their right to work checks processes and policies accordingly. However, take note that the right to work checks process will not change for workers entering the UK on a Dependant visa for example.