Visitors from 85 countries, including the United States, Canada, and France, who do not require a visa, will be unable to legally enter the UK without an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) beginning February 25, 2026.
British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens, are exempt from needing an ETA. The UK government strongly advises dual British citizens to make sure they have a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement, to avoid problems like being denied boarding when travelling to the UK from 25 February 2026.
ETA or eVisa
Everyone who wants to come to the UK must have digital permission through either an ETA or an eVisa. Carriers will be checking people before they travel.
All eligible non-European visitors can apply for an ETA and already need one to travel to the UK from 8 January 2025. From April 2025, all visitors to the UK who do not need a visa for short stays and who do not already have a UK immigration status are required to have an ETA.
Since the launch of ETA in October 2023, more than 13.3 million visitors have successfully applied and benefited from faster, smoother travel. ETA is now a fundamental part of travel, including for visitors who take connecting flights and go through UK passport control.
UK ETA App
Applying for an ETA is quick and simple through the official UK ETA app, and the cost is competitive at £16.
While most people currently get a decision automatically in minutes, it is recommended to allow 3 working days to account for the small number of cases that require additional review.
Once granted, ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and allow for stays of up to six months at a time – including both short trips and more extended stays. An ETA is not a visa, it is a digital permission to travel.