Redesigning border and immigration systems to deliver simpler, faster journeys
The Home Office is transforming the user journey across UK immigration and border services through eVisas, Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) and border automation.
Our goal
A streamlined, digital border and immigration system which responds to customer needs and enhances the security of the UK.
What this means for you
This initiative is UK-wide.
Millions of people are already benefitting from improvements to the border and immigration system:
- More convenient and secure processes: whether applying for visas, getting permission to come here, or crossing the UK border, proving identity and immigration status digitally is more convenient and secure than using paper documents.
- Clearer guidance: planning your travel is easier than ever – guidance online is clear and easy to understand.
If you work in the public sector, you’ll have secure access to better tools and data to support decision-making and service delivery.
Our progress so far
January 2025: delivered the first phase of eVisas implementation by stopping use of physical biometric residence permits
If you need a visa to come to the UK for more than 6 months, you’ll now receive an eVisa. Biometric Residence Permits have not been issued since late 2024. eVisas are more secure and you can use it to prove your rights and access services instantly. Where you hold an eVisa, it removes the need to wait for or collect a physical document as evidence of your immigration status. You may not need to leave your passport with the Home Office while awaiting a decision. eVisas are linked to your travel document or passport, speeding up checks when travelling to the UK.
May 2025: launched Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
ETAs were rolled out to people from non-visa national countries, increasing our knowledge of travellers to the UK and improving our border security. If you’re coming to the UK and do not require a visa to visit, you now need to apply for an ETA. You should experience a smooth, simple process and improved pre-arrival screening. Most people will receive an automatic decision in minutes when applying through the UK ETA app.
October 2025: second phase of eVisa implementation
If you’re coming to the UK for 6 months or more, for example to work, study or join family, you no longer receive a physical entry clearance visa vignettes (stickers in passports or travel documents confirming permission to travel). This means you no longer need to make a return visit to the Visa Application Centre and can instead retain your passport. You can access your eVisa as soon as it’s granted. Your eVisa is digitally linked to your passport, rather than a physical vignette, speeding up checks and approvals including when boarding a plane to the UK.
What we’re planning to do next
From early 2026: complete transition to eVisas and ETA enforcement
The Home Office will complete the work to stop issuing physical vignettes including if you’re coming to the UK for less than 6 months as a visitor. If you need a visa to travel, this will now be digitally linked to your passport. Now that the rollout of ETAs to all eligible people is complete, enforcement of the requirement to hold an ETA to travel to the UK will commence in February 2026. This will mean to come to the UK, you must have a permission to travel evidenced through a British or Irish passport, an ETA or an eVisa.
From late 2026: building on the contactless eGate Pilot at Manchester Airport
The Home Office is reviewing the results from the contactless eGate Pilot at Manchester Airport. Facial comparison technology will be made available at more ports to speed up identity checks and reduce your waiting time at the border. This will also improve border security, support safer streets and contribute to economic growth.
More information
For more information about this work, contact:
FBIS Programme Team
Home Office
FBISPMUSupport@homeoffice.gov.uk