The UK has officially transitioned to a fully digital travel system, making eVisas mandatory for Indian travellers and introducing Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visitors from visa-exempt countries. This move replaces paper-based visa stickers and is part of a phased rollout by the Home Office over recent years.
Travellers still need to visit visa application centres for biometric registration, but passports no longer have to be submitted during processing. Mike Tapp, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, urged, “Anyone travelling to the UK should ensure they are travel-ready and hold the correct permission to make their journey smoother.”
Under the new framework, all visitors must obtain digital permission before travelling, and airlines are authorised to deny boarding to passengers without a valid eVisa, ETA, or other approved documentation. The eVisa system, launched last year, allowed a transition period where physical documents were accepted, which has now ended. According to the Home Office, “An eVisa cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with and allows holders to instantly and securely prove their immigration rights. Switching to digital will not impact current rights or immigration status.”
As part of digitisation, holders of biometric residence permits (BRP), passport visa vignette stickers, ink stamps confirming indefinite leave to enter or remain, and biometric residence cards (BRC) have been migrated to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online system. Over 10 million eVisas have been issued so far. All eVisa holders, including those under the EU Settlement Scheme, are advised to ensure their UKVI account reflects updated passport details to avoid travel disruptions.
Visitors from 85 nationalities, including the United States, Canada, and France, who previously did not require visas, must now obtain an ETA before travelling. The ETA costs £16 (approximately ₹1,970), allows multiple entries, and is valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Minister Tapp stated, “The ETA scheme is vital to strengthen UK border security while providing a more efficient service for visitors and the public.” The Home Office noted that the ETA fee aligns with similar systems such as the US ESTA ($40) and the upcoming EU ETIAS (€20).
British and Irish citizens, including dual nationals, are exempt from the ETA requirement but must carry a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement. The Home Office added that carriers may accept some expired British passports at their discretion. ETA is also mandatory for passengers transiting through the UK if they pass through passport control, ensuring border security across all entry points.
Alia Bhatt Reacts to BAFTA Viral Moment
Alia Bhatt has finally responded to the online chatter surrounding her appearance at the 79th British Academy Film Awards. The actress, who attended the prestigious ceremony as a presenter, found herself at the center of social media debate following a short interview clip that went viral.
Alia took the global stage at the BAFTAs to present the award for Best Film Not in the English Language. While her presence drew widespread attention, it was a brief post-ceremony interaction that sparked mixed reactions online. In the clip, she was asked to name a film with the biggest plot twist. After pausing momentarily, she responded with Gone Girl. Her hesitation and expressions were quickly dissected on social media, with some viewers finding the moment natural while others speculated unnecessarily about her body language.
Addressing the buzz in a conversation with fashion commentator Diet Sabya, Alia questioned why the moment was being blown out of proportion. “Why is it being talked about so much? Is it because of my expression?” she asked.
Explaining what was going through her mind at that time, Alia clarified that she genuinely considers Gone Girl one of the best twist films but hasn’t watched it in years. As the interviewer referenced a specific monologue and scene, she said she was mentally revisiting the film’s details to ensure she remembered it correctly. That brief mental rewind, she implied, may have been misinterpreted as hesitation.
In her trademark candid style, Alia added humor to the situation, saying, “I am a cool girl. I am a sweet girl. But I could be… total… I mean I can be like… I am more sweet than I am cool. Actually, I don’t think I am cool. I am an uncool girl — my sister would say that.”
On the professional front, Alia is gearing up for her upcoming projects, including Alpha, a female-led spy thriller from the YRF Spy Universe directed by Shiv Rawail. The film also stars Bobby Deol and Sharvari Wagh, and is slated for release next year.
Despite the online noise, Alia’s composed and light-hearted clarification once again showcased her ability to handle social media scrutiny with grace.