UK Rolls Out Digital Visa System for Indians, Issues Over 500k Visas in One Year

The UK has completed its rollout of an electronic visa system, issuing over 5 lakh visas to Indian nationals in the year ended March 2026. This marks a significant milestone for India as one of Britain's largest overseas travel markets. The shift to a digital visa system aims to improve ease of travel for visa holders by allowing them to access and prove their immigration status online.

According to Home Office Immigration Statistics, over 500,000 visas were granted to Indian citizens in the period leading up to March 2026. VisitBritain predicts that Indian visitors to the UK will increase to almost a million a year by 2030, valued at £1.5bn. The increased air connectivity between the two nations has also contributed to this growth.

The digital immigration system means that successful applicants will no longer receive a physical visa sticker in their passport. Instead, they will be issued an eVisa, a secure digital document recording who they are and their status as a visa holder. Applicants must complete the visa application online, attend a Visa Application Centre to provide biometrics, and register an account with the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to access the eVisa.

The UK government has cautioned applicants against visa scams, warning that UK Visas and Immigration never requests payments or sensitive personal information through unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media. Travellers are advised to apply well ahead of their intended travel dates with all supporting documents and make sure their passport is linked to their UKVI account.