UK eVisa and ETA

Online Immigration Status in the UK: eVisa and ETA. UK Visas and Immigration are moving UK visas online from 2025. For residents, all BRP visa cards “expire” on 31.12.2024 and will be replaced by eVisa. For visitors, it will be an ETA prior to travel or a Visitor visa, depending on nationality. We can advise on the transition to eVisa and explain how it works. 

eVisa and what happens when all BRPs expire on 31.12.2024

From 2025 all UK visas will be as an eVisa. An electronic status in the UK Government system, without a physical card or stamp. All current BRPs “expire” on 31.12.2024, but it does not represent the expiry date of your status. The visa eligibility rules, and requirements towards the evidence, remain the same. If you have a BRP that expires on 31.12.2024, you can transfer to eVisa by creating a new-generation UKVI account here.

If your visa expires before 31.12.2024

You need to make a next visa application as normal, as before eVisa. As a result, you will receive a decision and your new status will be an eVisa. If your application remains pending by 31.12.2024, you’ll be able to create a UKVI account to prove your status accordingly. We call it Section 3C Leave, which is a legal stay during a pending application (or appeal, or admin review) after it was submitted on time, before the previous visa expired.   

How to prove your UK status with eVisa

Get a share code and provide it to employers and landlords:

You can generate a share code here, then give it to an employer or a landlord.  

Prove your status to the UK Government authorities:

The UK Government will have the information from the Home Office, so they will have access to your status through the Government database. This includes the NHS, HMRC, DWP etc. The same applies when travelling, the UK Border Control will have your status in their system. 

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) replaces visa-free travel

This is a change for nationals who normally did not need a visa to come to the UK for a holiday or business trip. This includes people from Europe, Australia, Canada, USA, Malaysia, UAE, Qatar and many other countries, the Rules call them “non-visa nationals”. Whereas before it was possible to visit the UK without any visa (just get a stamp at the airport), now you would need an ETA prior to travel. It is similar to American ESTA and Australian ETA, still not a “proper” visa, but an online authorisation before travel. If the system approves – you can head to the airport. If not – you’d have to apply for a Visitor visa.

When does ETA start?

Most nationals can apply from 27 November 2024; European visitors – from 5 March 2025. When eligible, you can apply here.  

Costs and timing

ETA costs 10 British Pounds per person, including per each child, and takes 3 working days to be processed. In some cases, it may be possible to travel to the UK while waiting for ETA, but you still have to apply for it. When approved, an ETA lasts for 2 years, so you can travel back and forth during that time, each staying maximum 6 months as a visitor/holidaymaker. 

#1 for UK visa advice

We started this company 15 years ago after our own experience. From our London office, we serve customers of all nationalities to come to the UK to visit, to live with a partner or family, to remain and settle here. You can book a consultation with an Immigration Lawyer here.

Visa nationals still need a "proper" Visitor visa

If your nationality is on the list of “visa nationals”, you will have to apply for a Visitor visa (not for ETA), even to come to the for a holiday. Submitting an online visa form, providing all the supporting documents, such as finances, reasons for travel to the UK, ties with your home country etc. The visa Rules and documents remain the same, even with electronic visas. The same caseworkers will be considering all applications, including checking the previous immigration history. 

Who is a visa national?

Examples: Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Russian, South African etc, you can check your nationality here.