The UK is moving to a fully digital immigration system. Physical documents such as visitor‑visa vignette stickers are being replaced with eVisas. The government has said this has been introduced to strengthen security, reduce dependency on paper documents and enable carriers across all modes to complete automated checks against Home Office records, improving the travel experience.
Create a UKVI account to access the eVisa
From 25 February 2026, carriers will check permission to travel digitally. Drivers with a UK Visitor Visa should create a UKVI account now to access their eVisa: www.gov.uk/evisa/set-up-ukvi-account. This ensures their visa can be confirmed automatically at ports and at the UK border.
Short guidance and support videos are available at www.gov.uk/evisa.
Keep passport or ID document details up to date
If a driver has received a new passport or ID document since their visa was issued, they must ensure it is linked to their eVisa. They can do this by creating a UKVI account, or by updating their existing UKVI account. This enables carriers (Eurotunnel or ferry operators) and UK Border Force to confirm valid permission to travel, reducing the risk of delays.
Why this matters
When the correct travel document is linked to the eVisa, automated checks run before departure, supporting a faster journey. If passport details are not linked, carriers may need to carry out manual checks, which can cause inconvenience, delays, or refusal of boarding.
Additional information
Drivers may still use a valid visitor‑visa vignette in their passport as evidence of permission. If their passport has changed since the visa was issued, they must travel with both the current passport and the passport containing the vignette.
Although carriers will normally confirm permission automatically, drivers who prefer to can also generate a share code from their UKVI account using the View and Prove service. A share code is valid for 90 days and may be reused.