UK Ancestry Entry Clearance Now Issued as eVisa Only from 20 May
24 May 2026
If you are applying for a UK Ancestry visa from outside the UK, this change affects what you will receive when your application is approved.
The Home Office updated its UK Ancestry caseworker guidance on 20 May 2026. The updated guidance states that "all applicants granted entry clearance from 20 May 2026 will receive an eVisa only (unless they do not have a Home Office accepted passport or identity document, in which case they will receive both an eVisa and a vignette)." This means most successful applicants will now get a digital immigration status record instead of a physical vignette sticker in their passport.
If you do not hold a Home Office accepted passport or identity document, you will still receive both an eVisa and a vignette sticker. The vignette is valid for 90 days, and you must travel to the UK within that window. If you miss it, you will need to request a replacement.
If you have been granted entry clearance from 20 May 2026, log in to your UKVI account to confirm your eVisa is active before you travel. Your eVisa is your proof of permission to enter the UK. When you arrive at the border, your digital status will be checked directly - you do not need a physical sticker in your passport.
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