The UK immigration system continues to move toward digital processes, tighter border control, and stronger compliance requirements. Several important changes are expected in 2026 that can be summarised as follows:
Summary Table: Key UK Immigration Changes for 2026
| Area of Change | What Is Changing | Who Is Affected | When It Applies | Practical Impact |
| Digital Visitor Visas (eVisa Rollout) | Physical visa vignette stickers may be phased out and replaced with fully digital eVisas for Visitor visa applicants. | Visa nationals applying for a UK Visitor visa. | Applications paid on or after 25 February 2026 (full phase-out expected by mid-2026). | Applicants attend VAC once, passport returned same day. Must create a UKVI account, link a passport, and manage status online. |
| UKVI Account Requirement | Travellers must manage immigration status digitally through a UKVI account. | All individuals issued an eVisa. | Ongoing requirement with digital rollout. | Must link passport before travel. Updates to name, nationality, or date of birth require supporting documents. Risk of delays if not updated properly. |
| ETA Enforcement | No major rule changes, but stricter enforcement by airlines and border authorities. Zero tolerance for arrivals without the required ETA. | Non-Visa nationals who require an ETA to travel to the UK. | Strengthened enforcement in 2026. | Carriers will deny boarding without an ETA. Increased risk of refusal at UK ports if non-compliant. |
| Dual British / Irish Nationals | UK and Irish citizens cannot apply for ETA using their second nationality. Must travel on UK/Irish passport or Right of Abode endorsement. | Dual nationals who are British or Irish and also hold an ETA-eligible nationality. | From 25 February 2026. | Must travel using UK/Irish passport. Using ETA in exceptional cases may cause delays and additional identity checks on arrival. |
| Earned Settlement Consultation | Potential changes to eligibility rules for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). | Sponsored workers and employers. | Consultation closes 12 February 2026. Possible implementation April 2026. | Eligibility periods and requirements for settlement may change. Employers should monitor developments. |
| Temporary Shortage List (TSL) Review | Migration Advisory Committee reviewing the TSL. Updates expected. | Sponsors and migrant workers under shortage occupations. | Review outcome expected July 2026. Current TSL valid for CoS assigned on or before 31 December 2026. | Transitional protections apply to those already sponsored. Future occupations or salary thresholds may change. |
| Expanded Right to Work (RTW) Obligations | Employer RTW checks extended beyond traditional employees to gig workers, agency workers, subcontractors, and online platforms. | Employers, agencies, gig economy businesses, and service platforms. | Law passed December 2025; implementation pending regulatory updates. | Increased compliance risk. Businesses must review workforce models and update RTW procedures before enforcement begins. |
Furthermore, below is a clear explanation of what is changing and what individuals and businesses should prepare for.
1- Digital Permission for Visa National Visitors
From 25 February 2026, visitors who pay for a UK visa application may no longer receive a visa vignette sticker in their passport. Instead, successful applicants are expected to receive an eVisa, which is a fully digital immigration status.
Although the official wording states that applicants “may not” receive a vignette, in practice, the physical visa sticker is likely to be gradually phased out by mid-2026. The UK government has been moving toward digital immigration status for several years, and this change is part of a wider plan to modernise the system and reduce reliance on physical documents.
What This Means for Applicants
Under the new system, applicants will usually attend a Visa Application Centre (VAC) only once to confirm their identity and provide biometrics. Their passport will be returned at the end of the appointment, rather than being held while a visa sticker is placed inside. This makes the process faster and more convenient.
It is important to understand that this digital visa system is completely separate from the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Visa nationals are still not eligible for an ETA and must continue to apply for a Visitor visa under the UK Immigration Rules. Their applications will still be assessed based on permitted activities, financial evidence, and intention to return home.
The Importance of a UKVI Account
Anyone travelling to the UK with an eVisa must create and maintain a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. This account allows individuals to:
- View their eVisa status
- Update passport details
- Share their immigration status with airlines or other authorities
Travellers must link their current passport to their eVisa before travel. If the passport details do not match, this could lead to delays at the border or additional checks.
If someone needs to update personal details such as their name, date of birth, or nationality, they will need to upload official identity documents that prove the change. These updates must be completed before travelling.
2- Stricter Enforcement of ETA
While the eligibility rules for ETA are not changing, enforcement will become much stricter in 2026.
An ETA is required for certain non-visa nationals travelling to the UK for short stays. From 2026 onwards, carriers such as airlines will apply stronger checks before boarding. There will be a zero-tolerance approach at UK ports of entry for individuals who arrive without a required ETA.
Who Is Exempt?
The following groups remain exempt from ETA requirements:
- UK passport holders
- Irish passport holders
- British Overseas Territory Citizens
- British Nationals (Overseas)
Currently, passengers in “outside transit” at London and Manchester airports are also ETA exempt.
3- Dual British / Irish and ETA-Eligible Nationals
From 25 February 2026, individuals who hold dual nationality (for example, British and another ETA-eligible nationality) will not be able to rely on their non-British passport to apply for an ETA.
If someone is a UK or Irish citizen, they must travel using:
- A valid UK or Irish passport, or
- Another passport endorsed with a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode
In exceptional situations — such as if a UK passport is lost or stolen overseas — a dual national may apply for an ETA using their other passport in order to board a flight. However, this is not ideal. On arrival in the UK, they will likely face additional identity checks until their British or Irish nationality is confirmed, which could result in delays.
This change reinforces the government’s position that British and Irish citizens should prove their status through their national passport.
4- Ongoing Consultations and Policy Developments
Earned Settlement
The government consultation on earned settlement closed at midnight on 12 February 2026. Any new legislation is expected to be introduced from April 2026, although implementation could be delayed.
Earned settlement proposals are likely to affect eligibility periods for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Employers and sponsored workers should continue monitoring updates closely, as qualifying periods and requirements may change.
Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
The current Temporary Shortage List remains valid for Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned on or before 31 December 2026.
The Migration Advisory Committee is reviewing the TSL, and updates are expected in July 2026. Any changes could affect salary thresholds, eligible occupations, or sponsorship requirements.
Importantly, individuals who receive a Certificate of Sponsorship under the current TSL will benefit from transitional arrangements beyond December 2026. This offers some security for those already in the sponsorship system.
5- Expanded Employer Responsibilities for Right to Work Checks
The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 received Royal Assent in December 2025 and significantly expands employer obligations.
Previously, Right to Work (RTW) checks focused mainly on traditional employees. Under the new legislation, these responsibilities will extend to a wider range of working arrangements, including:
- Agency workers
- Gig economy workers
- Self-employed individuals
- Casual or temporary workers under worker contracts
- Individual subcontractors
- Online matching platforms connecting service providers with customers
Although the law has passed, these changes are not yet in force. Before implementation, the government must update the Code of Practice on Illegal Working and amend provisions under the Immigration (Restrictions on Employment) Order 2007.
This all means that, when implemented, these reforms will increase compliance risk for businesses operating flexible workforce models. Companies relying on gig workers or subcontractors should begin reviewing their internal processes now to avoid civil penalties or potential criminal liability later.
Final Thoughts
The direction of UK immigration policy in 2026 is clear: digital status, stronger enforcement, and wider compliance responsibilities.
Visa nationals must prepare for a fully digital visa system. ETA travellers should ensure they obtain authorisation before departure. Dual nationals must travel on the correct passport. Employers, particularly those using non-traditional workforce models, should review their Right to Work procedures urgently. Preparation now will reduce disruption, delays, and compliance risks later.