UK makes ETA mandatory for visitors from 25 Feb 2026
From today, Tuesday 25 February 2026, the UK’s “no permission, no travel” rule is live. If you visit without a visa, you now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you fly. Airlines will check for a valid ETA, eVisa or other permission at the gate and can refuse boarding if you do not have it, according to the Home Office. (gov.uk)
Who needs it? If you hold a passport from any of 85 visa‑exempt places - including the United States, Canada and France - you must now have an ETA for short visits. British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA; you should travel on your British or Irish passport or, if you have right of abode, a Certificate of Entitlement. The Home Office also notes carriers may accept some expired British passports at their discretion. (gov.uk)
What you’ll pay and how long it lasts: an ETA costs £16, is valid for two years or until your passport expires (whichever is sooner), and can be used for multiple trips. Most people receive a decision within minutes, but you should allow up to three working days in case your application needs extra checks, say UK Visas and Immigration and the Home Office. (gov.uk)
How to apply, step by step: use the official UK ETA app or apply online with the passport you will travel on. You’ll submit basic details, a facial image and payment; your ETA is then linked digitally to your passport - there’s nothing to print. If you renew your passport, you’ll need a new ETA. (gov.uk)
Transits and the fine print: you will need an ETA if your connection brings you through UK passport control - for example, an overnight change or a landside terminal switch. You do not need one if you remain airside and do not clear the border. People who live in Ireland and are entering from Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man are also exempt. Working crew on ships, ferries, aircraft and through‑trains have tailored exemptions under border rules. (gov.uk)
How this compares globally: similar systems now set the baseline for international travel. The European Commission has set the ETIAS fee at €20 for visa‑exempt travellers when it launches in late 2026. The United States increased its ESTA charge to $40 on 30 September 2025, as widely reported by reputable outlets. (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu)
Why this matters today: since pilots began in October 2023, more than 19 million ETA approvals have been issued and over £383 million raised to reinvest in the UK border and immigration system, the Home Office says. Today’s full enforcement is part of the shift towards a more digital, ultimately contactless border. (gov.uk)
Already have UK permission? If you hold an eVisa or status (for example under the EU Settlement Scheme), you do not need an ETA - but you must keep your UKVI account updated with your current passport details to avoid travel disruption. That update is quick and free through your digital account. (gov.uk)
One more change tomorrow: from Wednesday 26 February 2026, Certificates of Entitlement to the right of abode begin moving to a digital record. That means one application rather than renewing with each new passport; you’ll just update your details when you renew, says Home Office guidance. (gov.uk)
Your travel checklist, taught simply: apply using the official app or GOV.UK, build in a three‑working‑day buffer, check whether your transit crosses passport control, and make sure your passport has plenty of validity because your ETA cannot outlast it. Ignore websites promising priority processing - there isn’t a fast‑track route, and most approvals already arrive quickly. (gov.uk)