UK Home Office to replace visa stickers in passports for certain visa categories.
As the UK Home Office continues to digitise the visa issuing process, vignettes (visa stickers) in passports will no longer be issued for some visa categories.
From Tuesday 15 July 2025, students applying for the short-term study visa (and the child/ student visa) will no longer receive a visa sticker in their passports. The decision letter they receive from UKVI will contain the details they need to access their eVisa. This means passports generally do not need to be retained by the Visa Application Centre.
Other visa categories that will no longer receive a vignette include Global Business Mobility, Global Talent, International Sportspersons, Skilled Workers (including Health and Care), Temporary Workers, and the Youth Mobility Scheme.
The change applies to the main applicant only. Any dependents and children applying for a visa will receive both a vignette and an eVisa.
What information is visible for an eVisa check
The information visible is changing. By the end of July 2025, providers will see more information about students’ permission.
The Home Office will be monitoring activity on eVisa checks and will see when/whether checks are being carried out.
SOURCE: English UK
