Non-visa nationals who try to enter the UK without an Electronic
Travel Authorisation (ETA) will be barred under new rules coming
into force.
From today (25 February), it will be mandatory for visitors to
the UK to have obtained digital permission to travel. This means
that airlines will prevent passengers from boarding if they do
not have an ETA, eVisa or have other valid documentation.
Visitors of 85 nationalities, including nationals of the United
States, Canada and France, are now legally required to have an
ETA when travelling to the UK. An ETA costs £16, permits multiple
journeys, and lasts for 2 years or until the holder's passport
expires – whichever is sooner.
The cost of an ETA is competitive and in line with other
countries including the US ESTA, which costs $40 and the EU's
ETIAS, which is expected to cost €20 when it is implemented.
British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens, are exempt
from needing an ETA but will be required to present either a
valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement when
travelling to the UK. This is the same approach taken by other
countries, including the US, Australia and Canada. At their own
discretion, carriers may accept some expired British passports as
alternative documentation.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, said:
The ETA scheme is a vital part of our work to strengthen the UK's
border security, helping to deliver a more efficient and modern
service that works for both visitors and the British public.
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.
ETAs are also mandatory for visitors who travel to the UK to take
connecting flights and go through passport control.
Since ETA was introduced in October 2023, over 19 million
visitors have successfully applied. As of January 2026, ETA has
generated over £383 million in revenue which is reinvested in
improving the UK's border and immigration system.
The enforcement of the ETA scheme is a significant step towards
digitising the immigration system and paves the way for a
contactless UK border in the future. The scheme also helps to
keep the border secure, preventing individuals who pose a threat
from entering the UK.
The UK has been phasing out physical documents for several years
through the transition to eVisas, with over 10 million issued to
date. eVisa holders, including those with EU Settlement Scheme
status, need to keep their UK Visas and Immigration account up to
date with their most recent passport details, to avoid travel
disruption.
As part of ongoing improvements to our services, from tomorrow
(26 February), Certificates of Entitlement will be issued in
digital format. This means that a certificate only needs to be
applied for once, rather than expiring with your passport.
Applying for an ETA through the UK ETA app is quick and easy, and
the vast majority of applicants currently receive a decision
automatically within minutes, ensuring that spontaneous trips to
the UK remain possible. However, it is still recommended that
visitors allow up to 3 working days before they plan to travel to
receive their decision in time and, to account for the small
number of cases that require additional review.
Applicants are required to provide their biographic and biometric
details and answer a few questions on suitability and
criminality. Once a person has successfully applied, their ETA is
digitally linked to their passport.
