The British government announced that from 25 February 2026, British visas They will no longer be issued in passport form, but will only be accessible online as e-visas.
This change has caught many British visa applicants unprepared, leaving them confused about the process, what an e-visa entails, how the process works, and so on.
What's different about e-visas?
Essentially, the only and main change with the e-visa is the elimination of the physical visa (sticker) in the passport. This means that the application process remains the same and nothing has changed in this regard.
Applicants for a British visa will continue:
- to collect their documents
- to complete the visa application online
- to attend the VFS application centre in Tirana to provide their fingerprints.
What happens to the passport?
After the first procedure, which remains unchanged, it is important to emphasise that the applicants' passports will be returned on the day their fingerprints are taken.
So, you will no longer need to block your passport, as was previously the case.
How do you get the e-visa?
As soon as you receive the email response regarding the outcome of your visa application, you will be informed of the next steps to access your visa online (e-visa).
This process is extremely important, as if you do not complete your details correctly, you may encounter difficulties accessing your e-visa.
What does this mean in practice?
In the email received from the British immigration office, you are asked to open an online account using the link they sent.
When opening the account you will be asked:
- Have your passport to hand.
- Application details (reference number)
- a phone to download the app for scanning the passport and biometric data (photo)
Caution: The information provided when opening the account must correspond to the information in your visa application. Any discrepancy may cause problems accessing your visa.
Accessing and using e-visas
At the end of the registration process, you will be notified by email to log in and access your visa.
Whenever you log in or are asked to verify your online e-visa status, you will be asked for your credentials:
- passport number
- telephone number
These must be accurate and in accordance with the original registration.
This procedure will be required each time you travel to the United Kingdom, so it is very important that it is carried out accurately and correctly.
Although the shift to e-visas may seem new and a little confusing at first, in practice the application process remains the same.
The main difference is how you access your visa once it has been approved, so it is very important to follow the registration steps carefully and ensure that your details are accurate.
