London: From this week, the United Kingdom has officially moved to a fully digital travel system, requiring eVisas for Indian nationals and Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA) for all visitors from countries that do not require a visa.
The new system eliminates the need for physical visa stickers in passports, though travelers will still need to visit application centers for biometric registration. Passengers without valid digital travel permission may be denied boarding by airlines.
Mike Tapp, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, urged travelers to be prepared: “Anyone planning to visit the UK should ensure they have the right travel permissions to make their journey smooth and hassle-free.”
The UK government first introduced eVisas last year, allowing a transitional period for physical documents. With the transition complete, the eVisa system now provides secure, instant verification of immigration status, reducing the risks of lost or tampered documents.
Visitors from 85 visa-exempt countries—including the US, Canada, and France—must now obtain an ETA, valid for multiple trips over two years or until the passport expires. The ETA costs $19 (£16), and revenue from the program is reinvested into the UK’s border and immigration systems.
Starting today, visitors who don’t need a visa to travel to the UK require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
This is a crucial step in enhancing the UK’s border security. I urge anyone planning to come to the UK to ensure they are travel ready, to make their journey… pic.twitter.com/faCmMBAloA
— Mike Tapp MP (@MikeTappTweets) February 25, 2026
The Home Office stressed that the new digital system strengthens border security while providing a faster and more efficient service for visitors. Certificates of Entitlement, issued digitally from Thursday, no longer expire with passports, further simplifying travel for British and Irish citizens.
Since the introduction of ETA in October 2023, over 19 million applications have been processed successfully, generating more than £383 million in revenue. Most applicants receive approval within minutes via the UK ETA app, though the government recommends applying at least three working days in advance for cases requiring extra review.
Applicants provide biographical and biometric details, as well as answers on criminality and suitability, before the travel authorization is linked digitally to their passport.
The shift to eVisas and ETAs marks a major step in the UK’s plan to modernize its borders, replacing paper-based documents with digital proof of immigration status and paving the way for a contactless travel experience in the future.
