Introduction to the UK electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital pre-travel clearance that has become mandatory for many non-visa nationals entering the United Kingdom in 2026. Unlike a traditional visa, the ETA is electronically linked to the traveller’s passport. Airlines and carriers verify the authorisation before boarding, while UK border officials confirm it upon arrival.
The ETA system is designed to be fast, secure, and data-driven. It is part of a broader global trend towards digital authorisations, similar to the US ESTA or Canada’s eTA. For travellers, this means a simpler process; for authorities, it creates a proactive, security-focused pre-screening mechanism.
Why the UK introduced the ETA system
The ETA is a strategic initiative by the UK Home Office to enhance border security and streamline legitimate travel.
By pre-screening visitors, the Home Office can identify risks such as criminal history or prior immigration breaches before travellers board flights to the UK. At the same time, compliant visitors benefit from a quicker and more predictable entry process.
This proactive approach reduces pressure at the border and aligns the UK with other modern immigration systems worldwide, providing parity for international travellers and improving overall operational efficiency.
Who needs a UK ETA in 2026
Visa-exempt nationals
In 2026, nationals from countries that do not require a UK visitor visa must obtain an ETA for short-term visits. This includes tourism, business meetings, or short courses. The ETA requirement applies to all modes of travel—air, sea, or rail. Airlines face penalties for carrying passengers without valid authorisation.
Transit passengers: airside vs. landside
One of the most common points of confusion involves transit rules. In 2026, the distinction between airside and landside transit is critical:
- Landside Transit: If you pass through UK border control, for example, to collect and re-check baggage or stay in a transit hotel, you must have an ETA, even if you are only connecting to another flight.
- Airside Transit: If you remain in the international zone and do not clear border control, such as a typical transfer at Heathrow or Manchester airport, non-visa nationals generally do not need an ETA.
Being explicit about this distinction helps travellers avoid unnecessary costs or confusion. Many people mistakenly purchase an ETA for purely airside connections, which is not required.
Children and family travellers
Every individual, including minors and infants, must hold a separate ETA if required by nationality. Parents or guardians may submit applications on behalf of children, but each application is assessed individually.
Dual nationals: new restrictions in 2026
Starting February 25, 2026, British dual citizens holding a foreign passport cannot apply for an ETA on their non-British passport. They must travel using their British passport or a digital Certificate of Entitlement linked to the foreign passport.
Carriers are now strictly barred from boarding dual nationals who present only a foreign passport without proof of British citizenship (ETA or digital certificate). This is a significant change aimed at avoiding confusion at the border and ensuring compliance with immigration law.
Who does not need an ETA
British and Irish citizens
Citizens of the UK and Ireland are exempt. Common Travel Area arrangements remain in effect.
UK visa holders and residents (eVisas)
Individuals with a valid UK visa, residence permit, or status under the EU Settlement Scheme do not require an ETA. A major 2026 update is that most residents now use eVisas linked to their UKVI account. Physical documents like BRPs or vignette stickers are largely phased out.
If a resident’s passport is not correctly updated in the UKVI system, airline checks can fail, causing boarding issues—even for people who are legally allowed to enter the UK.
Permitted activities under the UK ETA
Tourism and family visits
Leisure activities such as sightseeing, holidays, and visiting family or friends are fully permitted.
Business activities
Short-term business activities, such as attending meetings, trade fairs, and conferences, are allowed. Employment or direct service provision to UK clients remains prohibited.
Short-term study
Visitors can undertake courses up to six months in duration. Longer academic programmes still require a student visa.
Creative Worker concession
A 2026 update includes the Creative Worker visa concession. Non-visa nationals coming to the UK for up to three months for creative work are now integrated into the ETA system. Previously, this was a manual process at the border. Now, eligible creative professionals can travel with a single digital authorisation, simplifying border entry for short-term assignments in arts, media, and creative industries.
Activities not allowed under an ETA
The ETA does not permit:
- Employment beyond short-term business or creative activities
- Long-term study
- Access to public funds
- Marriage registration without the appropriate visitor visa
Border officers retain discretionary authority. Even with an approved ETA, entry may be refused if intentions appear inconsistent with permitted activities.
Validity period and multiple entries
An approved ETA is typically valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner. Multiple entries are allowed for short stays (usually up to six months per visit). Frequent travellers benefit from this flexibility, but compliance is essential.
How to apply for a UK ETA
Required documents
Applicants need:
- A valid biometric passport
- A recent digital photograph
- Contact details and travel information
- Payment method
Accuracy is critical. Mistakes may trigger delays or refusal.
Application process
Applications are submitted online through the official ETA platform. Applicants provide personal information, travel details, and answer security questions. Most decisions are issued electronically and automatically linked to the passport.
Decision timelines
Decisions are generally issued within days. Complex cases may require additional checks, so early application is advised.
UK ETA fees and proposed 2026 changes
As of early 2026, the ETA fee is £16 per applicant. The Home Office has proposed a fee increase to £20 later in 2026, pending parliamentary approval. Fees are non-refundable, even if the application is refused.
Processing is rapid but submitting an application last minute is risky. Ensuring all details are accurate from the start reduces delays.
Common reasons for ETA refusal
Refusals can result from:
- Criminal convictions or adverse immigration history
- False declarations
- Prior overstays
- Minor inconsistencies in travel information
Providing misleading information is especially dangerous. The UK shares data internationally, making verification robust and refusal consequences significant.
Travelling with an approved ETA
An approved ETA does not guarantee entry. Border officers retain discretion. Travellers should carry return tickets, proof of accommodation, and evidence of sufficient funds. Being prepared ensures a smooth arrival.
ETA vs UK visitor visa: key differences
The ETA is for low-risk, visa-exempt nationals on short visits. A standard visitor visa requires more extensive documentation, biometric enrolment, and longer processing times.
Non-visa nationals who require longer stays or other purposes must still apply for the appropriate visa. Understanding the distinction avoids costly errors.
Compliance, border checks and cancellation risks
The UK Border Force can cancel or curtail an ETA if new adverse information arises. Compliance is continuous: frequent travel, attempts to reside in the UK, or misuse of the ETA may trigger scrutiny.
The ETA facilitates travel but does not replace proper visas for extended or prohibited activities.
Final thoughts and professional support from LawSentis
The UK ETA in 2026 reflects a fully digitised, modernised border system. It streamlines entry for compliant travellers but is strict on accuracy and eligibility.
For anyone unsure about eligibility, dual nationality rules, or the distinction between ETA and visitor visas, professional advice is invaluable.
LawSentis, a UK-based, Level 3 IAA-regulated immigration firm, provides tailored support. From assessing ETA eligibility to advising on visitor or creative worker routes, LawSentis helps prevent refusals, avoid delays, and ensure a smooth, compliant travel experience. Early guidance often makes the difference between seamless entry and unnecessary disruption.
Official Ministerial Statement & Reference
You can read more about the changes in a Home Office press release here and a Home Office factsheet here.
Migration and Citizenship Minister, Mike Tapp, provided the following details in a written statement to Parliament:
The Enforcement of Electronic Travel Authorisation
Statement made on 25 February 2026
Statement UIN HCWS1361
Statement made by
Mike Tapp
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship
Statement
Today, 25 February 2026, marks a significant milestone in the transition to a fully digital immigration system with the UK moving to full enforcement of its digital ‘permission to travel’ requirements. Firstly, everyone (except British and Irish citizens and some other exempted cohorts) wishing to travel to the UK will need a ‘permission to travel’, and this requirement will be enforced. And secondly, from today most visa nationals applying for a visit visa will receive an eVisa only, replacing physical visa vignette stickers.
This marks a further step in the move away from paper-based evidence towards secure, digital records linked to the passport used for travel. Carriers, including airlines are required to check that passengers hold permission to travel through automated checks against Home Office records before boarding.
The permission to travel must be in the form of:
- an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA);
- an eVisa (a digital record of identity and immigration status), or
- other acceptable physical proof, where permitted.
Wherever possible, the permission will be digitally linked to the passport being used for travel, enabling status to be confirmed quickly and securely. Anyone who has an eVisa must ensure their travel document is linked to their visa via their UKVI account, to ensure the smoothest travel experience. This also applies to those with status under the EU Settlement Scheme and I particularly urge everyone in that group to ensure that their latest passport is linked to their UKVI account.
The benefits of introducing a digital permission to travel requirement are twofold. First, we will know more about people before they travel to the UK, strengthening the security of our border, enabling a more targeted approach to border control with more efficient processing of arrivals. By maximising the use of upstream interventions, we are preventing people who pose a threat to the UK from traveling in the first place, by refusing them permission to travel here.
Second, this approach enables the Government to deliver key innovations through end-to-end digitisation, making it easier for people to come to the UK to live, study, work or visit, thereby boosting the UK economy through tourism, trade, and investment opportunities.
The Home Office continues to promote the ETA scheme and transition from physical immigration status documents to eVisas through a comprehensive programme including media activity, GOV.UK, extensive stakeholder engagement, cross government engagement and targeted customer communications. In parallel, we have undertaken extensive engagement with carriers to ensure they are prepared for these new requirements.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for non-visa nationals
The ETA scheme was launched in October 2023 with over 19.6m ETAs granted up to September 2025. Phased rollout brought EU nationals into scope in April 2025 and, since then, it has become a universal requirement for all eligible non-visa national visitors, which is now being enforced from today, 25 February 2026. Public and stakeholder communications have been ongoing since 2023 and we continue to update guidance on GOV.UK, work with FCDO posts and engage directly with carriers and the travel and tourism sector.
With the ETA requirement now in force, carriers such as airlines are required to check passengers hold the appropriate permission before they travel. Linked to this, carriers may be liable to a penalty if they bring someone to the UK who does not have the correct documentation or permission. Passengers can also check their ETA status and expiry online: Check your electronic travel authorisation (ETA) – GOV.UK.
Dual Nationals
British citizens, including dual nationals, are not eligible for an ETA and should prove their permission to travel and enter the UK border with a valid British passport or a passport containing a Certificate of Entitlement (CoE) to the right of abode. From tomorrow, 26 February 2026, the CoE will be available in digital form, linked to their passport. Without either of these documents, British Citizens risk being refused boarding or may experience delays when travelling to the UK from today, 25 February 2026. Further information: Electronic travel authorisation (ETA): guide for dual citizens – GOV.UK
The nature of British nationality law means there is no central register of British citizens or British dual nationals and therefore no mechanism to directly contact all those who may be affected. We have, however, taken active steps to raise awareness of what this means for dual British citizens. Public information strongly advising dual nationals to travel with a valid UK passport or CoE has been available since October 2024, including official guidance on GOV.UK, and we included guidance for dual citizens in our ETA communications campaign which has been running since 2023. In November 2025, we announced the enforcement of ETA from 25 February 2026, which included information about the requirement for dual citizens: No permission, no travel: UK set to enforce ETA scheme – GOV.UK. We provide explicit written and spoken guidance to people who naturalise or register as British citizens, including through their application and at citizenship ceremonies, and since the start of the year we have also emailed people who have registered or naturalised in the last 10 years where we hold useable contact details.
This supplements our wider updates via GOV.UK, engagement and promotion via Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) networks.
This position is longstanding. Under the Immigration Act 1971, British citizens cannot be granted an ETA, a visa or other immigration permission. To enter the UK as a British citizen, people must evidence their right of abode by presenting a UK passport or a foreign passport endorsed with a CoE. Where all supporting information has been provided, people can expect their UK passport within 3 weeks when applying from the UK, and within 4 weeks for most applications from outside the UK. Where a dual national holds a foreign passport, His Majesty’s Passport Office reserves the right to request the original document to support completion of its checks. However, a colour photocopy of the foreign passport will usually suffice to help meet travel needs while the application is in progress.
ETA enforcement does not change this legal framework. What changes from 25 February 2026 is that carriers are now required to apply permission to travel checks consistently for non-visa nationals, in the same way that carriers already do for visa nationals, to avoid the risk of a penalty. We recognise this represents a change to how some British dual nationals experience pre-departure checks, particularly where they have travelled historically on a non-UK passport. Our approach aligns with that of comparable countries, such as the US and Australia.
Transitional arrangements and temporary measures
We do not plan additional grace periods. The ETA scheme has been rolled out to eligible nationalities since October 2023, and our approach has been clearly communicated throughout. A further transitional phase has been in place since roll out completed in April 2025, meaning the requirement to have an ETA was not strictly enforced by carriers, giving passengers time to prepare.
Alongside this, we have supported carriers to prepare for these changes through sustained engagement, technical readiness work, partner materials, webinars and the introduction of a 24/7 Carrier Support Hub. We have engaged with over 55,000 check-in agents globally to embed these checks in day-to-day operations.
Recognising the potential impact on dual British nationals, we have issued temporary operational guidance to carriers on the acceptance of alternative documentation. This includes carriers accepting, at their discretion, an expired UK passport (issued 1989 or later) alongside a valid non-visa national third country passport, where biographic details match. This is a short-term transitional measure and remains an operational decision for carriers. It does not replace the requirement to hold a valid UK passport or a valid CoE.
Carriers may also contact the Carrier Support Hub, who may be able to confirm British citizenship for those with a digital record on the UK’s immigration and passport systems. This service is available to carriers only and our clear advice to passengers remains that they should travel with a valid British passport or CoE to ensure the smoothest experience. Carriers remain responsible for ensuring that passengers are adequately documented for travel; carrier liability requirements remain in force, and carriers may face charges if they transport passengers who do not have the required permission to travel. Carriers also set their own operating processes, and the decision on whether to carry a passenger is their commercial and operational decision.
Emergency Travel Documents remain available for urgent travel in defined circumstances. Adults and children who have previously held a UK passport issued after 1 January 2006 can apply where they need to travel urgently. Travel urgently from abroad without your UK passport: Who can apply – GOV.UK. Where a person has not previously held a UK passport, they can only apply if their urgent travel meets the exceptional circumstances criteria, for example urgent medical reasons or attending the funeral of a close relative. This long-standing arrangement is unaffected by ETA enforcement, but it does not remove the need to hold the correct documentation for future travel.
In line with current practice, on arrival at the UK border, Border Force will continue to assess a person’s suitability to enter the UK and may conduct additional checks if required.
We will continue to take a compassionate and pragmatic approach to travellers who experience genuine difficulty while this process settles. The clearest way to ensure a smooth journey remains travelling with a valid UK passport or a CoE to the right of abode.
Transition to eVisas
Over 10 million people are already using secure and convenient eVisas, which are replacing physical immigration status documents such as biometric residence permits (BRPs) and visa vignette stickers in passports. We are now in the final phases of implementation, with eVisas becoming the default evidence of status for most immigration routes to the UK.
From today, 25 February 2026, most visa nationals applying for a visitor visa will receive an eVisa only, replacing physical visa vignette stickers.
These changes streamline the process for visa applicants who now only need to visit the Visa Application Centre (VAC) once to confirm their identity and receive their passport back at the appointment. Decisions will be communicated by email, and for those granted a visa, they will create a UKVI account to access their eVisa.
Eligible applicants applying for evidence of exemption from immigration control from outside the UK will also receive a digital record of exemption instead of a physical vignette, allowing carriers and UK Border Force to confirm exemption status automatically through existing checks.
By the end of 2026, the Government intends to stop issuing all physical visa vignette stickers in passports, with all successful visa applicants receiving an eVisa. The latest information on the transition to eVisa is available here: Updates on the move to eVisas – GOV.UK
The enforcement of the ETA requirement, alongside the continued transition to eVisas, reflects our commitment to modernising and further securing the UK border. They also lay the foundations for a contactless UK border in the future.
Members may wish to signpost their constituents to further information about these changes. Supporting materials can be accessed here: eVisa partner pack and ETA partner pack including key messages, factsheets and materials that may be shared to amplify these changes.