The Home Office will make modifications to the UK’s immigration system on February 25, 2026. These adjustments will finish the move to digital status and automated carrier checks.
THINGS THAT WILL CHANGE ON FEBRUARY 25
Enforcement of Electronic Travel Authorisation
As of February 25, non-visa nationalities who are eligible to visit must have a valid electronic travel authorisation (ETA). If you don’t have an ETA, carriers will not let you board. This is a change from the present policy, which lets carriers decide whether or not to let people board even if they don’t have an ETA.
British citizens with dual citizenship
People from the UK, including those with dual citizenship, can’t get an ETA. They have to travel with a British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement (CoE). If you don’t do this, you might not be able to board or have to wait.
Visitor Visas Change to eVisas
People from countries that require a visa must get a visitor visa before coming to the UK. Starting on February 25, visiting visas will only be given out as eVisas, not as physical visa vignettes. Anyone with an eVisa must make a UKVI account and keep their passport information up to date.
Digital Proof of Status Grows
Starting on February 25, applicants who don’t have to pay will get a Digital Record of Exemption instead of a physical vignette.
Also, starting on February 25, CoE and Home Office travel documentation will be digital and connected to UKVI accounts.
WHAT EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS SHOULD DO NOW
- Find out who travels a lot: Employers should find out who travels to the UK for work often and see if they need an ETA, eVisa, or other digital status after February 25.
- Talk to people early and clearly: Employers should tell those who will be affected about the new digital requirements ahead of time, especially the possibility of being denied boarding if they don’t have the right authorisation or document.
- Check the travel papers for British dual nationals: Employers should tell British dual nationals to use a genuine British passport or CoE when they travel, because other passports will no longer be good enough.
- UKVI account readiness: Employees with eVisas, Digital Records of Exemption, CoEs, or Home Office travel documents should check their UKVI account often to make sure their passport information is up to current and linked.
- Change the rules and policies inside: Policies on travel, moving, and immigration should be looked at again to take into account the fact that people are moving away from paper documents and relying more on digital status checks.