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.
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