The United Kingdom is fast transitioning to a digital immigration system for immigrants coming to the UK. People who need a UK visa to live, work or study in the UK are now issued with an eVisa, providing digital proof of immigration status.

eVisas offers an alternative to hard copy immigration documents, reducing the risk of theft, loss, or alteration, allowing individuals to expedite their travels.

Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission in advance before travelling to UK. This can be either through an ETA or an eVisa.

By April 2025, all visitors who do not need a visa will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK.

Nationalities of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates can apply for an ETA now.

From 27 November 2024, eligible non-Europeans can apply for an ETA and will need an ETA to travel from 8 January 2025.

ETAs will then extend to eligible Europeans from 5 March 2025, who will need an ETA to travel from 2 April 2025.

ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and ensure more robust security checks are carried out before people begin their journey to the UK, helping to prevent abuse of the immigration system. An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to 6 months at a time over 2 years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. 

An ETA allows you to travel to the UK. Whether you can apply depends on the date you travel and your nationality as shown on your passport.

The UK government is taking major steps towards delivering its ambitious aim to digitise the UK border and immigration system and has today set out new implementation dates for the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme.

Gulf Cooperation Council visitors already need an ETA to travel to the UK. The introduction of ETAs is in line with the approach many other countries have taken to border security, including the US and Australia.

The government is asking migrants in the UK who currently use a physical immigration document, including a biometric residence permit (BRP), or a passport containing ink stamps or visa vignette stickers, to take action now and create an online account to access their eVisa.

Most BRPs are due to expire on 31 December 2024, and BRP holders are urged to take action before their BRP expires.