UK eVisa vs UK ETA 2026: Key Differences Explained

Britain has swapped physical visa stamps and vignettes for a paperless immigration record — the eVisa. The ETA sits in a separate lane. It covers travellers who, until recently, could arrive without any advance permission at all.

Confused about which document is yours? This guide draws a clear line between the two and shows which fits your situation in 2026.

Two electronic records now sit at the border: the eVisa and the ETA. Knowing which one applies to you matters before you book a trip. The UK Visas and Immigration department runs both as part of the move to a paperless framework.

Key Takeaways

• UK ETA: For nationals who previously visited the UK visa-free — pre-travel authorisation, costs £20
• UK eVisa: The digital form of formal permission for those who require a full visa to visit Britain
• ETA and eVisa are NOT the same thing — different systems for different travellers
• Already hold an eVisa from an earlier application? Then you do NOT need an ETA
• UK eVisa replaced physical visa stickers (vignettes) in passport from January 2025

What Is the UK ETA?

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a pre-travel screening permission for travellers from countries that have visa-free access to the UK. Before the ETA was introduced, nationals of over 60 countries (USA, Canada, Australia, EU, etc.) could simply turn up at UK airports without any advance permission.

Key fact: The UK ETA costs £20 per application, is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, and permits unlimited visits of up to six months apiece. Citizens from 48 eligible countries must obtain an ETA before travelling (Source: GOV.UK).

Since 2024–25, these travellers must secure an ETA before departure. It costs £20, runs for 2 years, and covers stays of up to six months. This is not a visa — it is a pre-screening clearance.

What Is a UK eVisa?

The eVisa is a fully digital visa that replaced the vignette stickers once glued into passports. Held a standard visa before — a Standard Visitor, Student, or Skilled Worker visa? That permission now lives in a UK Visas and Immigration account. That online record is your eVisa.

Who Has a UK eVisa?

• People who previously held a physical UK visa sticker in their passport
• People who have applied for any UK visa from January 2025 onwards (they receive an eVisa automatically)
• EU/EEA citizens with Settled Status or Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• People who have UK Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) that have transitioned to eVisas

UK ETA vs UK eVisa: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	UK ETA	UK eVisa
Who needs it	Visa-free nationals	Those requiring formal UK visa
Purpose	Pre-travel screening	Immigration permission
Cost	£20	Varies (Standard Visitor: £135+)
Validity	2 years, stays up to 6 months	Varies by visa type
Work permission	No	Depends on visa category
Application time	Minutes	Weeks (requires biometrics)
Linked to passport	Yes — specific passport number	No — linked to UKVI account

I Have a UK eVisa — Do I Also Need an ETA?

No. A valid eVisa — including one that former BRP holders were switched to — already grants your immigration permission, so a separate ETA is unnecessary. The two are mutually exclusive: one or the other, never both.

How Do I Access My UK eVisa?

UK eVisas are accessed through the UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) online account at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status. From this account you can:

• See your current status and visa conditions
• Generate a “share code” to prove your UK immigration status to employers, landlords, or airlines
• Check visa expiry dates and conditions

If you previously held a physical UK visa sticker that has expired or is in an old passport, you may need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa record. Contact the UKVI helpline if you are unsure of your current immigration status.

Common Confusion: EU Citizens in 2026

EU citizens face a particularly confusing situation in 2026:

• EU citizens with UK Settled/Pre-Settled Status: hold an eVisa, need no ETA, and prove status with a UKVI share code
• EU citizens without UK immigration status (tourists): must apply for an ETA before visiting Britain
• EU citizens with an existing UK Standard Visitor Visa: that visa is already an eVisa, so no ETA applies

Not sure where you stand as an EU national? Check your UKVI account at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status.

The UK’s Digital Border: What It Means in Practice

Since January 2025, the paperless shift has changed a few things at the frontline:

• No new visa stickers go into passports
• Every fresh visa and ETA permission is issued digitally
• Airlines and border staff read your status electronically — nothing to hand over
• Travellers are urged to confirm their status online before they set off

Want the full story of how these changes came together? Read our companion piece, UK eVisa & Digital Border Explained 2026.

eVisa vs ETA: Detailed Comparison

Feature	UK ETA	UK eVisa
Purpose	Short visits (tourism, business, transit)	Digital proof of immigration status (work, study, settlement)
Cost	£20	Varies by visa type (£100–£1,500+)
Validity	2 years	Duration of visa grant
Work permitted	No (limited business activities only)	Yes (if visa category permits)
Physical document	No — linked to passport digitally	No — online status (replaces BRP cards)

What Is a UK eVisa?

In plain terms, the eVisa is the digital form of your immigration permission. Since 2024, Britain has been retiring physical documents such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRP cards) and passport stickers. In their place, your record is stored online and tied to your passport number.

Who Has an eVisa?

You have an eVisa if you hold any of the following:

• A work visa (Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, etc.)
• A student visa
• A family visa
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR/settled status)
• EU Settlement Scheme status (pre-settled or settled)
• Any other visa or immigration permission granted since the digital switchover

Old BRP card or visa sticker? Those have been converted to eVisas automatically. Check yours anytime through the UKVI online portal.

How eVisas Work

Your eVisa is accessed online through your UKVI account. When you need to prove your immigration status — to an employer, landlord, airline, or border official — you generate a share code that allows them to verify your status digitally. There is no physical card or document to carry or lose.

What Is a UK ETA?

The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is the lighter-touch route, built for short-term visitors from countries that require no full visa. Think of it as a pre-screening check that clears you to travel before departure.

Who Applies for an ETA?

An ETA is required when a citizen of an eligible country visits Britain for:

• Tourism and sightseeing (stays of up to six months)
• Business meetings, conferences, and networking
• Transit through the UK to another destination
• Short courses lasting no more than six months
• Creative and sporting events

The Application Process

Applying is far quicker than a full visa. All it takes is your passport, a digital photo, and £20. Most people finish in under 10 minutes on the official app or website. Approvals usually land within hours, and the authorisation lasts two years, covering unlimited trips across that window.

How to Know Which One You Need

Determining whether you need an ETA or an eVisa depends on your nationality and purpose of travel:

An ETA Fits You If:

• Your nationality qualifies (most visa-free countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and EU nations)
• The trip is for tourism, short business, or transit
• Your stay runs to six months or less
• You have no plans to work, study long-term, or settle in Britain

You Need an eVisa (Full Visa Application) If:

• You want to work in the UK
• You want to study for more than 6 months
• You want to join family members living in the UK
• You intend to stay longer than 6 months
• Your nationality needs a visa for every trip to Britain

Still not sure? The official visa checker tool pins down exactly what applies, based on your nationality and reason for travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have a UK visa sticker in my old passport — is it still valid?

Depending on the date: UK visa stickers (vignettes) in passports issued before January 2025 remain valid until their specified expiry date. However, the UK government encouraged all BRP holders to transition to eVisa status before the December 2024 deadline. If your vignette hasn’t expired, you should be able to use it. When in doubt, check your UKVI account.

My UK visa expired — should I now apply for ETA or a new visa?

It comes down to your nationality. From an ETA-eligible country with an expired visa and only a short trip of six months or less in mind? Apply for an ETA. From a country that normally needs a full visa, with yours now lapsed? Lodge a fresh Standard Visitor Visa or the relevant type instead.

Can I travel to the UK with just my UKVI share code?

You don’t need to show a share code at the airport — airlines and border control check your status electronically using your passport number. Share codes are used to prove status to employers, landlords, etc. For travel purposes, your passport is sufficient — your ETA or eVisa status is checked automatically.

Check your ETA status: how to check UK ETA status.

Comparing UK and EU systems? See our UK ETA vs EU ETIAS guide.

For passport renewal issues, read our ETA and passport renewal guide.

Common application errors? See our UK ETA mistakes guide.

Visit Britain provides up-to-date guidance on entry requirements for visitors from all countries.

Official Sources & References

1. UK Government — Electronic Travel Authorisation
2. UK Government — eVisa Information
3. UK Government — View and Prove Immigration Status
4. UK Government — Check If You Need a UK Visa
5. Visit Britain — Plan Your Trip

The UK’s Digital Border: Moving Away from Physical Documents

Both the eVisa and ETA belong to a wider plan for a paperless border. By 2025, physical immigration documents — BRP cards, visa stickers, passport stamps — are being retired in favour of online records. That carries a few practical consequences for travellers:

Benefits of the Digital System

• No documents to lose — Your immigration status is stored securely in government systems and linked to your passport. Losing a physical card is no longer a concern.
• Faster border checks — Automated e-gates at UK airports can verify your ETA or eVisa status electronically in seconds, reducing queue times.
• Always accessible — You can check your immigration status online at any time through the GOV.UK online portal.
• Harder to forge — Digital records are more secure than physical documents, reducing immigration fraud.

What This Means for You

ETA or eVisa, the experience at the border feels much the same: your clearance is read electronically, with nothing physical to hand across the desk. What sets them apart is eligibility, cost, and what you may actually do once inside the country. Just keep your passport current and matched to the record tied to your digital status.

Conclusion

The distinction between the eVisa and the ETA is straightforward once you understand the purpose of each. The ETA is for short-term visitors from eligible countries, while the eVisa is the digital record of any longer-term immigration permission. Both are part of the UK’s transition to a paperless border, making travel more efficient and secure for everyone.

The two serve different groups. The ETA is for visa-free nationals who now require pre-travel clearance, while the eVisa is the digital stand-in for old passport stickers. Hold a valid eVisa and no ETA applies; come from a visa-free country and the ETA is all you need — no formal visa required.

Apply for your UK ETA at VisaETA or the official GOV.UK ETA page.