The UK Home Office has announced further digitalisation of the immigration system and standardised application processing timelines for US-based applicants. From 15 July 2025, key changes affect applicants applying to work, study or join family in the UK, particularly those applying from the United States.
eVisas Rolled Out for Work and Study Applicants
From 15 July 2025, individuals applying for Work or Study visas (e.g. Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Student) will no longer receive a physical visa vignette in their passport. Instead, they will be granted an eVisa, a digital immigration status accessible through a UKVI account.
This change applies only to main applicants in work and study categories. Other routes, such as family visas and visit visas, will continue to use visa vignettes for now. BRPs issued under previous grants remain valid until expiry.
What to do:
- Applicants must set up a UKVI account to access their status online.
- Sponsors should ensure applicants are aware of how to access and present their immigration status digitally.
- Status is automatically shareable with employers, landlords, NHS, and other public bodies.
Visa Processing Times Standardised for US Applicants
Visa applicants from the United States can now expect the same 3-week processing time as applicants from other countries. This applies to most UK visa types applied for from outside the UK, including:
- Visitor visas
- Skilled Worker and other work visas
- Student visas
- Family route visas
Applicants may still opt for priority or super priority processing where available. This update provides consistency and greater certainty for US-based applicants and UK sponsors.
Key Considerations for Applicants and Sponsors
- Applicants applying from 15 July 2025 for work or study visas must prepare for an entirely digital immigration status.
- BRPs will continue to be valid until their stated expiry
- Applicants from the USA should plan their travel based on a 3-week standard processing time and factor in any additional time for biometric appointments.
- Employers and educational sponsors should update internal processes to reflect eVisa usage and assist applicants accordingly.
How Whytecroft Ford Can Help
At Whytecroft Ford, we provide expert legal advice on all aspects of UK visa applications, including support with eVisa implementation and US-based applications.
Contact our team on 0208 757 5751 or use our contact form.
