Digital Status Updates

An update to the ‘Online immigration status (eVisa)’ guidance on 9 June 2025 has shown further steps being taken towards a digital immigration system in the UK. The guidance was updated to say that those who have been granted entry clearance as the main applicant under either the work or a study route ‘may’ no longer have their passport endorsed with a vignette from 15 July 2025. 
 
Those who have been granted entry clearance under one of the above routes ought to be informed in the decision correspondence if they are to receive a vignette. If not, the applicant should be directed to create their UKVI account and access their eVisa prior to their travel to the UK. It is important that the eVisa is linked to the passport which the person will be travelling on to enter the UK. 

This is in-line with the phasing out of physical forms of evidencing immigration status. From 2 June 2025, visa holders can no longer rely on Biometric Residence Permits or Cards (BRP/Cs) as proof of immigration status when travelling in and out of the UK. We explain this and the eVisa process in further detail in our article ‘Biometric Residence Permits extended to 1 June 2025’. 

At present, the guidance states dependants of the main applicants who are on student or work routes, and those who are applying on other routes, are still to be issued vignettes to facilitate their entry to the UK. 

If you wish advice on applying for entry clearance as a student or on a work route, then please do not hesitate to contact one of the experienced solicitors in our immigration team for advice and assistance.