As of 25 February 2026, South Africans applying for UK visas will receive their permissions as a secure digital record known as an eVisa.
This eVisa will replace the traditional ink stamps and stickers found in passports. This change is part of a broader initiative by UK Visas and Immigration to modernise the immigration process and eliminate physical immigration documents.
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A visa is essential for anyone’s immigration status, and with an eVisa, information is stored online. It confirms who you are, what type of visa you hold and what you’re allowed to do while you’re in the United Kingdom. Whether you are visiting family, studying or working, the eVisa will hold that information.
IOL reports that once your application is approved, you will receive an email confirming your visa decision and instructions on how to create and access your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. This account will store your digital immigration status.
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This move has been welcomed by some as an exciting shift, largely because there’s nothing to lose, damage, or forget at home. Everything is secured on your UKVI account that you, as a traveller, can access. This also makes the processes faster. However, others have pointed out disadvantages, highlighting that while the visa may be digital, the application remains a real-world hassle.
The UK aims to streamline its border checks with a new digital code, making the process smoother and significantly quicker. The rollout of this system will occur gradually, and this year, most successful applicants are expected to receive only an eVisa instead of a physical visa.
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