The United Kingdom has fully activated its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system as of 00:01 GMT on 25 February 2026, officially ending the “grace period.”
Citizens of 85 visa-free countries must now obtain an approved ETA (or hold a valid eVisa or other UK immigration status) before arriving at an airport, ferry terminal, or Eurostar gate. Travellers without the required digital permission will be refused boarding.
Carriers are now legally required to verify ETA status prior to departure. Failure to do so may result in fines of up to £10,000 per passenger. This underscores the UK’s shift toward pre-departure immigration enforcement.
The UK ETA: Key Details
The UK ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK. It is not a visa, does not guarantee entry, and does not replace border checks on arrival. Rather, it authorises an individual to board transport to the UK, where final admission decisions remain with UK Border Force officers at the point of entry.
An ETA is mandatory for visitors who:
- Do not need a visa for short stays (up to six months), and
- Do not already hold UK immigration status, such as an eVisa or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Passengers transiting through Heathrow Airport or Manchester Airport without passing UK passport control currently do not require an ETA. However, those who pass through UK border control do.
Covered travel purposes include: Tourism, business visits, short-term study, family visits, and medical treatment.
Cost, Validity, and Future Changes
Fee: £16 per applicant
Validity:
- Two years, or
- Until the passport used in the application expires (whichever comes first)
Usage:
- Multiple entries permitted
- Each stay must not exceed six months
Applicants should be aware that third-party websites may charge higher fees than the official UK Government rate. Authorities have confirmed that an increase of the ETA fee to £20 is planned, with further details to be announced.
How to Apply for the UK ETA
The UK Government encourages applicants to use official channels only.
Applications can be submitted:
- Via the UK ETA app (available on Google Play and the Apple App Store), or
- Through the UK website
Most applicants receive automatic decisions within minutes. However, travellers are strongly advised to apply at least three working days before departure, as a small number of cases may require additional checks.
Applicants must:
- Pay the application fee
- Provide passport and contact details
- Upload a compliant digital photograph
- Answer suitability and criminality questions
Travellers must use the same passport for travel that was used in the ETA application.
Exemptions and Global Context
British and Irish citizens, as well as individuals who already hold a valid UK visa or immigration status, do not require an ETA.
Dual British citizens are also exempt but must travel using:
- A valid British passport, or
- A Certificate of Entitlement, now issued in digital format
Travelling on a non-British passport may result in boarding being refused.
While there are no routine immigration controls at the Ireland–Northern Ireland land border, the legal requirement to hold an ETA still applies to non-visa nationals entering the UK from the Republic of Ireland, unless they qualify for a specific exemption under the Common Travel Area rules.
If an ETA application is refused, there is no right of appeal. The individual must instead apply for a Standard Visitor Visa if they wish to travel.
British and Irish citizens, and those who hold a valid UK visa, do not need an ETA, including dual nationals, but the latter must travel using:
- A valid British passport, or
- A Certificate of Entitlement, which is now issued in digital format
Travelling on a non-British passport may result in boarding refusal
While there are no routine border controls at the Ireland–Northern Ireland land border, the legal requirement to hold an ETA still applies to non-visa nationals crossing into the UK from the Republic of Ireland.
If an ETA is refused, there is no right of appeal. The applicant must instead apply for a visa in a British consulate.
Since its phased introduction in October 2023, the ETA system has screened millions of travellers, allowing UK authorities to conduct pre-travel checks using biographic and biometric data. This approach aligns the UK with comparable systems such as the US ESTA, the EU’s forthcoming ETIAS, and Canadian and Australian electronic travel authorisations.
The objective is clear: to enhance border security by identifying potential risks before travellers reach the UK.
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The full enforcement of the UK’s ETA system marks a significant shift in how global mobility operates. Digital permission is now a legal prerequisite for movement, not a procedural formality.
At Bayat Group, we support individuals, entrepreneurs, and organisations in navigating evolving immigration systems with clarity and foresight. In an era of digital borders, advance planning is the difference between seamless travel and costly disruption.
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Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules and government policies are subject to change, and individual circumstances may affect eligibility and requirements. Readers should consult official UK Government guidance or seek professional legal advice before making travel or immigration decisions. Bayat Group accepts no liability for reliance on the information contained herein without obtaining tailored advice.