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UK travel rules for many visitors are changing from tomorrow.
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Nationals from 85 countries, who do not currently need a visa, will be required to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from 25 February 2026 onwards.
Authorities say this will create “a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year”.
What is an ETA?
The ETA is a digital permit for short stays in 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 stay in the UK for up to six months to visit family or for tourism purposes.
Eligible visitors who take connecting flights and go through UK passport control also need an ETA. Those transiting through London Heathrow and Manchester airports who do not go through UK passport control do not currently need an ETA.
The permit has been rolled out in phases. Since October 2023, more than 13.3 million ETAs have been issued, according to the UK government.
So far, the UK has not enforced the ETA requirement so as to allow travellers time to adjust to the changes. But from 25 February 2026, it will become mandatory and eligible visitors without an ETA will not be able 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 citizens
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 citizens will be exempt. This includes dual citizens, a clause that has thrown up significant complications.
The new immigration rules require dual British citizens to ensure they have a valid British or Irish passport when travelling to the UK from 25 February onwards, to avoid being denied boarding.
Alternatively, they can show a “certificate of entitlement”, a document costing £589 (€674) attached to their foreign passport.
The requirement has prompted outcry from Britons who do not have a British passport, including children born abroad.
The UK Home Office has now said airline carriers can, “at their own discretion”, accept an “expired British passport as alternative documentation”. This must have been issued in 1989 or later, and you must also carry a valid passport for one of the nationalities that can get an ETA.
“Separately, individuals who have previously had a British passport can apply for an emergency travel document if they urgently need to enter the UK,” the Home Office says.
How to apply for an ETA?
Visitors can apply for an ETA through the official UK ETA app, which is available both on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The application currently costs £16 (€18.20), but is set to increase to £20 (€22.90) at an as-yet unspecified date in the future.
Travellers can also apply through the UK government’s website if they do not have access to a smartphone. Contact and passport details, as well as a valid photo, are required.
Most people get a decision automatically in a few minutes; however, the government recommends that travellers allow for three working days for cases which need additional review.
An ETA will last for two 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 help in modernising the UK immigration system by streamlining its digitisation and helping pave the way towards a contactless UK border down the line. It also claims they will help improve security and migration management.
“ETAs give us greater power to stop those who pose a threat from setting foot in the country and gives us a fuller picture of immigration,” says Mike Tapp, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, on the UK government website. “ETAs are also better for travellers. Digitising the immigration system ensures the millions of people we welcome to the UK every year enjoy a more seamless travel experience.”
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