UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) takes further steps towards developing a digital immigration system, meaning physical documents will be replaced with a digital record of a person’s identity and immigration status. 

On 28 January 2026, several announcements have been made in relation to digitising documents.

What are the latest updates?

The UK government is moving to a digital immigration system aimed at enhancing security, reducing reliance on physical documents, and enabling carriers to undergo automated checks against Home Office records, thereby improving the traveller experience.

1. Applying for permission to come to the UK from 25 February 2026

From 25 February 2026, applicants who make a successful UK visit visa application or any other visa application may not receive a visa vignette sticker.

Instead, they will get an eVisa. An eVisa will show the permission they have been granted before they travel to the UK. The applicants will attend the VAC (Visa Application Centre) only once to confirm their identity and will have their passports returned during the appointment.

The applicant will be told how they can access their eVisa and whether they will get a visa sticker. They will be able to access their eVisa through their UKVI account.

Therefore, before travelling to the UK, everyone with an eVisa, including children, must create a UKVI account to check their eVisa, update their passport details, and share their immigration status, if required, for example, to facilitate other countries at their entry or exit controls.

A person who has not linked their current passport or travel document(s) to their eVisa may face inconvenience, delays, and extra checks to confirm their UK immigration status.

2. ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) – Enforcement

From 25 February 2026, an eligible national travelling to the UK as a visitor must apply for and obtain a valid ETA unless they already hold a valid UK immigration permission. Those who are required to have an ETA but do not hold one will be denied boarding by the carriers.

British dual nationals

British citizens, including those holding the nationality of another country, are?not eligible for an ETA.?They may only show their right of abode in the UK with a?valid British passport?or other passport endorsed with a CoE (Certificate of Entitlement). 

From 25 February 2026, a British dual national unable to present one of these documents will be at risk of being denied boarding or delays?when returning to the UK.?

3. Digital Record of Exemption

From 25 February 2026, a person applying from outside the UK who meets the conditions for exemption from the UK’s immigration control will get a DRE (Digital Record of Exemption), which is online proof that a person is exempt from UK immigration control instead of a physical ‘exempt vignette’. This DRE makes it easier for a person to prove their exemption and enables carriers (airline, ferry operator, or international train operator) to confirm it automatically, ensuring a smoother journey.??

4. Digital CoE (Certificate of Entitlement) to the Right of Abode

From 26 February 2026, a person with a valid CoE (traditionally, it was a physical vignette sticker placed in a person’s passport) will automatically receive a digital CoE and will be invited by email to create a UKVI account. 

New applications made outside the UK from 26 February 2026 will also receive a digital certificate.

Digital CoEs are not required to be renewed when a passport expires. Holders of a digital CoE will be able to update their passport details in their UKVI account for free.

5. HOTDs (Home Office Travel Documents)

HOTDs?are issued by the Home Office to eligible Commonwealth citizens and foreign nationals who cannot obtain a passport from their own country.??

From?26 February 2026, all existing as well as newly issued?HOTDs?will automatically link to UKVI accounts. This will enable carriers to confirm someone’s permission to travel through automated checks.??

Holders of HOTDs are not required to take any immediate action, but from 26 February 2026, they can sign in to their UKVI account to ensure their HOTD is linked correctly.

How can Visa and Migration help?

The latest updates to the UK immigration system have focused on digitising the physical immigration documents to enable people to smoothly access and evidence their immigration status, and carriers to carry out automated checks before boarding a person coming to the UK. 

Whether you are a visa national, a British dual national, one who is exempt from immigration control, a HOTD holder, or have the right of abode in the UK, you will need to know the new rules effective from 25 or 26 February 2026.

We can help you to create your UKVI account, update your passport details, apply for an eVisa, ETA, etc.

For any expert advice and queries, you can call us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261 or write at info@visaandmigration.com