‘No permission, no travel’: These visitors to UK will need recent ETA travel permit from tomorrow

UK travel rules for a lot of visitors are changing from tomorrow.

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Nationals from 85 countries, who don’t currently need a visa, will probably be required to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from 25 February 2026 onwards.

Authorities say this may create “a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will probably be quicker and safer for the tens of millions of people that go through the UK border every year”.

What’s an ETA?

The ETA is a digital permit for brief stays within the UK – not a visa or tax. It only applies to travellers who don’t already need a visa, like those from the EU, Canada and the US. It allows visitors to remain within the UK for as much as six months to go to family or for tourism purposes.

Eligible visitors who take connecting flights and undergo UK passport control also need an ETA. Those transiting through London Heathrow and Manchester airports who don’t undergo UK passport control don’t currently need an ETA.

The permit has been rolled out in phases. Since October 2023, greater than 13.3 million ETAs have been issued, in response to the UK government.

To this point, the UK has not enforced the ETA requirement in order to permit travellers time to regulate to the changes. But from 25 February 2026, it should develop into mandatory and eligible visitors without an ETA won’t give you the option to board their transport or legally travel to the UK.

All visitors to the UK must either have an ETA or an eVisa, with carriers checking people before they travel.

ETA confusion for British and Irish dual residents

Travellers from 85 countries, including the EU, the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica and more will need an ETA.

British and Irish residents will probably be exempt. This includes dual residents, a clause that has thrown up significant complications.

The brand new immigration rules require dual British residents to make sure they’ve a legitimate British or Irish passport when travelling to the UK from 25 February onwards, to avoid being denied boarding.

Alternatively, they’ll show a “certificate of entitlement”, a document costing £589 (€674) attached to their foreign passport.

The requirement has prompted outcry from Britons who should not have a British passport, including children born abroad.

The UK Home Office has now said airline carriers can, “at their very own discretion”, accept an “expired British passport as alternative documentation”. This should have been issued in 1989 or later, and you have to also carry a legitimate passport for one in all the nationalities that may get an ETA.

“Individually, individuals who’ve previously had a British passport can apply for an emergency travel document in the event that they urgently have to enter the UK,” the Home Office says.

Find out how to apply for an ETA?

Visitors can apply for an ETA through the official UK ETA app, which is offered each on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The appliance currently costs £16 (€18.20), but is ready to extend to £20 (€22.90) at an as-yet unspecified date in the longer term.

Travellers also can apply through the UK government’s website in the event that they should not have access to a smartphone. Contact and passport details, in addition to a legitimate photo, are required.

Most individuals get a call robotically in a couple of minutes; nevertheless, the federal government recommends that travellers allow for 3 working days for cases which need additional review.

An ETA will last for 2 years, or until the visitor’s passport expires –whichever comes first.

Why is the UK introducing ETAs?

The UK government says ETAs are expected to significantly assist in modernising the UK immigration system by streamlining its digitisation and helping pave the way in which towards a contactless UK border down the road. It also claims they may help improve security and migration management.

“ETAs give us greater power to stop those that pose a threat from setting foot within the country and offers us a fuller picture of immigration,” says Mike Tapp, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, on the UK government website. “ETAs are also higher for travellers. Digitising the immigration system ensures the tens of millions of individuals we welcome to the UK every 12 months enjoy a more seamless travel experience.”