The United Kingdom has also introduced a new electronic visa system that does not require applicants to present their passports during the visa application process. It is anticipated that the change will enhance the application process. Making it quicker, more secure and more convenient for travellers, particularly those who apply from outside India.
The new system will also be used to issue approved visas in digital form rather than as physical stickers stamped on passports. The visa will be electronically linked to the applicant's passport number, enabling authorities to check entry permissions digitally at border checkpoints within the UK.
In the past, they had to submit their passports at the visa centres, where a visa vignette was either stamped or pasted in the passports. This was frequently spelt out as "no passport" for a few weeks, which caused hassle for regular travellers and people who require the document to identify themselves or make an urgent trip.
With the introduction of eVisas, applicants can now retain their passports even while their visas are being processed. The successful applicants will be notified electronically after the decision is made. Upon the traveller's arrival in the UK, border officials will have access to visa information digitally.
This action reduces the risk of losing a passport or taking a long time to process a lost passport. It also eliminates courier fees and the hassle of frequent visits to the visa centres.
The officials assume that the digital system will reduce processing times since there is no need to physically handle documents. Eliminating the requirement to print and apply visa labels can streamline the administrative process and reduce logistical delays.
Online forms will still be filled in by applicants, followed by the submission of necessary documents and biometrics, which is a regular process. Nevertheless, the issue of granting a final visa will become electronic.
The shift is a subset of the wider work by UK immigration officials to modernise border infrastructure and enhance efficiency with the help of digital technology.
India is among the biggest sources of UK visa applications, such as tourists, students, visitors to businesses and skilled labour. The new system will have a massive impact on Indian applicants, who previously had to wait long hours without their passports.
Students bound for UK universities will be able to keep their passports for use elsewhere or for other documents until the visa is approved. On the same note, work visa seekers can still travel internationally if needed without being hindered by passport submission.
The representatives of the travel industry think that the reform will promote the short term travels between India and the UK, especially tourism and family visits.
Once the visa application and biometrics are submitted, a digital approval will be issued to the applicant if the visa is accepted. The direct connection will be made between the visa status and the passport in which the application is made.
Border officers at the point of entry will ensure that the visa is checked electronically using passport details. Visitors will not require a stamped visa in their passports.
The applicants should make sure that the passport information is filled out correctly when filling out the applications. Any discrepancy between the passport details and the visa documents would create delays at the border.
E-visa is part of the UK government's long-term digitisation of its immigration services. Governments are striving to make paperwork as minimal as possible, enhance security and make the system more accessible.
The adoption of electronic visa systems in many countries is not a new trend, and the UK has been following the trend of digital border management around the world. The officials have also suggested that additional visa types will be fully shifted to digital formats in future years.
Although the process will be made easier, applicants have to undergo all the eligibility requirements and provide full documentation. The fact that physical visa stamps are removed does not alter the assessment criterion.
Travellers are advised by experts to pay attention to official updates and to ensure they know how to show and access their digital visa status if requested during travel.
The introduction of eVisas is a significant change in the process of controlling entry permissions in the UK. The system is more flexible since it eliminates the requirement of handing over passports, and the system alleviates stress to applicants and promotes quick processing.
The change is a convenient way of improving the visa experience for Indian travellers and other applicants internationally, and the UK is now on par with current digital immigration practices without compromising the standards of border security.
Apply today for a UK visa with Aptech Visa, the best consultation for your Visa needs!
Call our well-versed team of the best immigration experts at 750 383 2132 / 91310 59075, or you can also write us at info@aptechvisa.com.
Visit Our Clients Testimonials !
Also Read - Australia Tightens Student Visa Rules in Feb 2026, Know More!