If you have tried to travel to the UK recently, or you are planning to, you have probably come across both of these terms. UK ETA. UK eVisa. They sound similar, they are both digital, and they are both connected to UK immigration. But they are completely different things, they apply to completely different groups of people, and confusing the two can cause serious problems, including being denied boarding at the airport.
This guide explains clearly what each one is, who needs which, what they cost, how they work in 2026, and how to figure out which one applies to your situation.
The simple answer before anything else
These two systems do not overlap. You will never need both at the same time.
If you live in the UK on a visa, you have an eVisa. Visitors coming from a country that previously did not need a visa will need an ETA instead. One or the other, never both.
What is the UK ETA?
ETA stands for Electronic Travel Authorisation. It is a pre-travel permission that you apply for before you travel to the UK. Unlike a visa, it does not give you the right to live or work in the UK. The sole purpose is to authorise you to board a plane, train, or ferry heading to the UK and to apply for entry on arrival.
Think of it like the US ESTA system. If you are an American travelling to the UK, you now need to apply for an ETA before you travel. The same applies to citizens of Australia, Canada, EU countries (except Ireland), Japan, South Korea, and around 85 other nationalities.
The ETA was introduced in phases from 2023 and became fully mandatory from 25 February 2026. From that date, anyone who falls into the ETA category and tries to board a flight to the UK without one will be denied boarding. Airlines, ferry operators, and train services are all required to check ETA status before you travel.
Key facts about the UK ETA in 2026:
- Cost: Β£20 per person (increased from Β£16 on 8 April 2026)
- Valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first
- Allows multiple trips to the UK, each of up to 6 months
- Linked to your passport digitally, no physical document issued
- Apply through the official UK ETA app or on GOV.UK
- Most decisions come back within minutes, sometimes a few hours
- Every person travelling needs their own ETA, including babies and children
What is the UK eVisa?
An eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status in the UK. It is not something you apply for separately. When the Home Office grants you a UK visa, your permission to be in the UK is now stored digitally and accessed through a UKVI account.
Before 2025, most visa holders received either a visa vignette sticker in their passport or a physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card. From 25 February 2026, the UK immigration system became fully digital. No new physical documents are issued. Your eVisa is your only proof of your right to be in the UK, and you access it by logging into your UKVI account on GOV.UK.
Who has an eVisa:
- Skilled Worker visa holders
- Student visa holders
- Family visa holders (spouse, parent, child)
- Health and Care Worker visa holders
- Anyone with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR/settled status)
- EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals with EU Settlement Scheme status (settled or pre-settled)
- Holders of any other type of UK visa or immigration permission
Key facts about the UK eVisa in 2026:
- Free to access through your UKVI account
- Shows your visa type, expiry date, and conditions
- Linked to your passport number
- Used to prove your right to work, rent, study, and travel
- Generate a share code to prove your status to employers, landlords, banks, and others
- Must be updated every time you get a new passport
The key differences side by side
- The ETA and the eVisa are two completely separate systems built for two completely separate groups of people. Here is how they compare:
- The ETA is for visitors from visa-exempt countries. The eVisa is for people who hold UK immigration permission.
- The ETA is a pre-travel authorisation. The eVisa is a digital record of immigration status already granted.
- The ETA costs Β£20. The eVisa is free to access.
- The ETA is valid for 2 years with multiple visits allowed. The eVisa is valid for as long as your underlying visa or leave is valid.
- The ETA allows stays of up to 6 months per visit. The eVisa can cover months or years depending on your visa type.
- The ETA does not allow you to work or study. The eVisa records exactly what you are and are not permitted to do.
- The ETA is applied for through the UK ETA app or GOV.UK. The eVisa is accessed through your UKVI account on GOV.UK.
Who needs the ETA in 2026?
You need a UK ETA if you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country and you are visiting the UK for tourism, a business meeting, transit, or a short stay of up to 6 months. Countries whose nationals need a UK ETA include all EU member states (except Ireland), the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and around 85 other nationalities in total.
You do not need a UK ETA if:
- You are a British citizen (even if you also hold another nationality, as long as you travel on your British passport)
- You are an Irish citizen
- You already hold a valid UK visa of any type
- You have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- You have Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK
- You hold a British National (Overseas) passport
- You hold a British Overseas Territories Citizen passport
- You live in Ireland and are travelling directly to the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man
Who has a UK eVisa in 2026?
You have a UK eVisa if you hold any form of UK immigration permission. This includes everyone who previously held a BRP card or a visa sticker in their passport. Those physical documents have been replaced by your digital eVisa. You access it through a UKVI account.
As of early 2026, the Home Office has completed the ‘Digital by Default’ rollout. While your underlying visa remains valid, physical BRP cards and vignette stickers are now obsolete for travel. Airlines now use a digital status check at the boarding gate. If you haven’t moved your status to a UKVI account yet, you are at high risk of being denied boarding, as carriers are now liable for fines if they board passengers without a digital record.”
Can you have both an ETA and an eVisa?
No. They are mutually exclusive. If you hold a valid UK eVisa, you do not need an ETA and you should not apply for one. Your eVisa is your permission to travel to and be in the UK.
Applying for an ETA when you already hold an eVisa is unnecessary and could cause confusion during your trip. If an airline sees you have an ETA but you are actually travelling on a visa, it can create complications at check-in.
The rule is straightforward: if you hold any UK immigration permission, use your eVisa. If you are a visa-exempt visitor with no UK immigration permission, apply for an ETA.
How to apply for a UK ETA
Applying for a UK ETA is straightforward and takes most people under 10 minutes.
Download the official UK ETA app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or complete the online form on the GOV.UK website. You will need your passport, a contact email address, and a payment card.
The application asks for your personal details including name, date of birth, nationality, and passport number. You will also be asked some short questions about your travel plans and criminal history. Answer all questions honestly. Dishonest answers can result in refusal and may affect future travel.
Pay the Β£20 fee at the end of the application. Most applicants receive a decision by email within minutes. In some cases it can take up to three working days.
Your ETA is linked to your passport digitally. You do not receive any physical document and you do not need to print anything. When you travel, simply present the passport you used for the application.
Important: you must apply for an ETA at least three working days before you travel to allow time for any cases that need further review.
How to access your UK eVisa
If you hold a UK visa, your eVisa is accessed through your UKVI account on GOV.UK. You need to create an account if you have not already done so. The process involves entering your passport and visa application details and verifying your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app on a smartphone.
Once your account is set up, you can log in at any time to view your visa details, update your information, and generate a share code to prove your status to others.
Your eVisa is linked to your passport number. If you renew your passport, you must update your UKVI account immediately. Failing to do this can result in being denied boarding on flights.
What happens at the UK border
For ETA holders, when you arrive at the UK border you present your passport. The border officer or eGate system will check your ETA status digitally. Your ETA authorises you to travel, but final permission to enter is granted by the border officer on arrival. In most cases this is a quick process.
For eVisa holders, the process works the same way. Present your passport and the system checks your digital immigration status automatically. No physical document is needed as your eVisa details are already linked to your passport.
Common situations and which applies to you
You are a French citizen visiting London for a holiday. A UK ETA is what you need, as you are not a UK visa holder and the eVisa system does not apply to you.
- You are an Indian national living in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa. You have an eVisa. You do not need an ETA.
- You are an American student studying at a UK university. You have a Student visa and therefore an eVisa. You do not need an ETA.
- You are an EU national with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. You have an eVisa through the EUSS. You do not need an ETA.
- You are an Australian coming to the UK for a business meeting for one week. You need a UK ETA. You are a visa-exempt visitor.
How LawSentis can help you
Understanding whether you need an ETA or an eVisa is just the starting point. If your situation is more complex, such as applying for a long-term visa, switching visa categories, extending your stay, dealing with a refusal, or navigating the UKVI system after a change in circumstances, getting proper legal advice makes all the difference.
At LawSentis, we are a UK-based regulated immigration firm authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) at Level 3. This is the highest level of regulation available for immigration advisers in the UK, meaning we are authorised to handle even the most complex immigration cases.
Our team helps individuals, families, and businesses with all areas of UK immigration including visa applications, eVisa access issues, status corrections, appeals, and sponsor compliance. We offer a free initial consultation and manage your case from start to finish with clear, honest advice at every stage.
Frequently asked questions
I am an EU citizen. Do I need an ETA or an eVisa to visit the UK?
It depends on your situation. If you are visiting the UK as a tourist or for a short stay and you do not have any UK immigration permission, you need a UK ETA. EU citizens (except Irish citizens) have needed a UK ETA since 2024. However, if you have pre-settled or settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme, you have an eVisa and do not need an ETA.
I have a UK visa. Do I still need to apply for an ETA before travelling?
No. If you hold a valid UK visa of any type, you do not need an ETA. Your visa (now in the form of an eVisa) is what authorises you to travel to and be in the UK. Applying for an ETA in addition to your visa is unnecessary.
My BRP card expired on 31 December 2024 but my visa is still valid. What do I have?
You have an eVisa. The BRP cards were all given an end date of 31 December 2024 as part of the transition to the digital system, but this does not mean your immigration permission expired on that date. Your actual visa expiry date will be longer than that. You need to set up a UKVI account to access and prove your eVisa status going forward.
Can I travel to the UK with just my ETA and without any other documents?
Yes, but it must be the exact same passport used for the application. Your ETA is digitally ‘locked’ to that passport’s chip. If you renew your passport, your ETA becomes void immediately. You cannot transfer an ETA to a new passport; you must pay the Β£20 fee and apply again for the new document.
What if my ETA application is refused?
You will be told the reason by email. You may be able to re-apply addressing the issue raised, or you may need to apply for a standard visitor visa instead. A refusal does not automatically bar you from future applications, but you must address the underlying reason. If you are refused and unsure what to do next, getting advice from a regulated immigration adviser is recommended.
I am transiting through a UK airport. Do I need an ETA?
Yes. Effective February 25, 2026, the UK requires an ETA for all transit, including airside transit where you don’t pass through border control. If you are from an ETA-eligible country (like the USA, EU, or Australia) and you are stopping in the UK to change flights, you must have a valid ETA to board your first flight.
How long does an ETA last and can I use it for multiple trips?
A UK ETA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During that period you can make as many trips to the UK as you like, with each stay lasting up to 6 months. When your passport expires, your ETA also expires and you will need to apply for a new one with your new passport.
What is a share code and do ETA holders need one?
A share code is generated from a UKVI account and is used by eVisa holders to prove their immigration status to employers, landlords, and others. ETA holders do not have a share code. The share code system is only for people who hold UK immigration permission (eVisa holders). If you are in the UK on an ETA, you are a visitor and are not permitted to work or rent long term, so a share code does not apply to your situation.
The ETA fee has changed. How much is it now?
The UK ETA fee increased to Β£20 per person on 8 April 2026. Before that date it was Β£16. The fee applies to every individual traveller including children and babies.
I applied for an ETA but I actually have an eVisa. Will this cause a problem?
Having both on record should not cause a legal problem, but it is unnecessary and can cause confusion at check-in and the border. If you hold a valid eVisa, that is what you should be using. If you are unsure about your status, log in to your UKVI account to check your eVisa details, or contact UKVI directly.
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules change regularly. For advice specific to your personal situation, please contact us.