The United Kingdom (UK) Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has issued an update regarding Visa applications affecting Kenyans.
In a notice, UKVI said it is developing a digital immigration system called eVisa that will be effective on July 15.
The Immigration said eVisa will replace physical documents, and the changes will be made in phases to ensure a smooth transition.
“This means we are replacing physical documents with a digital record of your identity and immigration status. This is known as an eVisa. We are doing this in a phased approach to manage the transition,” UKVI said.
UKVI said it regularly publishes statistics on the number of eVisa accounts created.
It stated that millions of people have received an eVisa since 2018.
It explained that updating the existing physical document to an eVisa does not affect one’s immigration status or the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK.
Benefits of eVisa
UKVI listed the benefits of eVisa compared to physical documents.
It stated that eVisas are secure and cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, unlike a physical document.
Besides, applicants will not need to wait for or collect a physical document after their application is decided.
However, they might still need to provide biometric information in person, and UKVI will tell them if they need to do this.
Also Read: Kenya Officially Drops Visa Requirement for All African Countries
The Immigration also said that it will be quicker and easier to prove an applicant’s status at the UK border, and share their status with third parties like employers and landlords
“We will continue to share relevant information about your immigration status automatically with some government departments and other public authorities, if they request it, which will mean you don’t have to,” UKVI said.
These changes will affect the process of making a new application to enter and stay in the UK from July 15, 2025.
Also Read: US Visa: How Kenyans Can Request an Emergency Interview Appointment
UK Vignette
UKVI said applicants may not get a vignette if they apply for a work or study visa on or after July 15th.
Instead, they will need to create a UKVI account to get access to their eVisa before they travel to the UK.
Afterwards, they will be told what to do when they get their decision.
“You will still get a vignette if you apply as a dependent for any visa or as a main applicant for visas other than work or study,” UKVI said.
Why More People Can Access eVisa
More people can now access their eVisa by creating a UKVI account.
This includes those who were issued with a Form for affixing a visa (FAV)
It also applies to those granted an extension to their visa but do not have a valid identity document, such as a passport or an expired biometric residence permit (BRP).
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