London/New Delhi, February 25, 2026: The United Kingdom today fully implemented a landmark digital border overhaul, replacing traditional paper-based visas and permissions with a fully electronic system. From Wednesday, Indian nationals applying for any UK visa will receive only an eVisa — a digital record linked to their passport and accessible via a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account — while visitors from 85 visa-exempt countries must now obtain a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel.
The changes mark the culmination of the UK government’s “digital by default” immigration modernisation programme. Physical visa stickers (vignettes) in passports and other paper documents are being phased out entirely for new applications, with carriers required to perform automated digital checks before allowing passengers to board.
For Indian travellers — who require a visa for all short-term visits, study, work or settlement — the shift brings significant convenience. From today, applicants attending a Visa Application Centre (VAC) for biometrics will have their passports returned the same day, eliminating the previous requirement to surrender the document for weeks during processing. Once approved, the eVisa is instantly available in the applicant’s UKVI account and is electronically linked to their passport. No physical sticker will be issued.
“British High Commissioner to India has welcomed the move, noting it will make the process faster and more secure while applicants retain their passports throughout,” sources familiar with the rollout confirmed.
Meanwhile, nationals from visa-exempt countries — including the United States, Canada, all EU nations, Australia, Japan, South Korea and most Gulf states (totaling 85 nationalities) — face strict new enforcement of the ETA requirement. The ETA is a low-cost (£16) digital permission valid for multiple visits of up to six months each over two years (or until the passport expires). Applications are completed online in minutes via the GOV.UK website or app, with most decisions issued within minutes.
From February 25, 2026, airlines, ferry and train operators will block boarding for any non-exempt traveller without a valid ETA, eVisa or existing UK immigration status. British and Irish citizens (including dual nationals) are exempt and continue to travel on their respective passports.
UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp said: “I’d urge anyone wanting to travel to the UK to ensure they are travel-ready and have the right permission, to make their journey much smoother.”
The Home Office emphasised that an ETA is not a visa and does not guarantee entry — border officers retain the final decision. Exemptions include those already holding UK residence permission, certain diplomats and specific categories listed on GOV.UK.
The overhaul is part of a broader global trend towards electronic travel permissions, similar to systems in the United States (ESTA), Canada (eTA) and the European Union’s upcoming ETIAS. UK officials say the new system will strengthen security through real-time data checks, reduce fraud and speed up border processing.
Indian travellers planning trips are advised to:
- Create a UKVI account immediately upon receiving an eVisa decision
- Carry a printed or digital copy of their eVisa confirmation when travelling
- Ensure their passport is valid for the entire intended stay
Visa-exempt nationals should apply for an ETA well in advance, though most approvals are near-instantaneous.
The UK Home Office has launched dedicated guidance pages on GOV.UK for both eVisas and ETAs, with a “Check if you need an ETA or visa” tool to help travellers confirm requirements by nationality.
No physical documents will be needed at the border for compliant travellers, with facial recognition and e-gates expected to become the norm in the coming months. The transition has been phased over the past year, with full enforcement beginning today.
This digital reset is expected to affect millions of annual visitors to the UK and represents one of the most significant changes to British border control in decades.
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