UK Introduces E-Visa System for International Students, Ending Physical Visa Stickers

The United Kingdom has announced a significant change in its visa application process for international students, including those from Bangladesh. Starting from July 15, the UK has introduced an entirely digital visa system, replacing the traditional paper-based visa stickers and visas pasted inside passports.

Under this new system, students applying for UK student visas from Bangladesh and other countries will no longer receive visa stickers or visas in their passports. Instead, all visa information will be securely stored on a digital platform accessible online. When entering the UK, students will only need to present their passport and access their visa details through their digital account.

However, certain categories of applicants such as dependents (spouses or children), sponsored students, or visa applicants other than students and workers will still receive physical visa stickers in their passports.

The UK government stated that this shift to an entirely digital visa process is part of wider efforts to enhance security and streamline entry procedures. The move also involves the cancellation of the biometric residence permit (BRP) system and the phased replacement of biometric residence cards (BRC) and traditional stamps or stickers with electronic visas.

What Are the Key Changes?

• Bangladeshi student visa holders will no longer have visa stickers or labels in their passports.
• All visa data will be stored securely in a digital account, which can be accessed and verified anytime online.
• When entering the UK, students only need to carry their passport and access their visa information digitally.

Who Will Still Receive Visa Stickers?

• Most applicants will now receive an e-visa.
• Visa stickers will still be issued to dependents (spouses and children of students).

The UK Home Office states that the primary goal of this transition is to make entry procedures more secure and straightforward, while also advancing the digitalization of visa management. The e-visa system allows authorities to verify and update visa information from any location and at any time, making the process more efficient and transparent.