UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) going live in February 2026
The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is about to become a fixed part of travel planning, with full enforcement starting on 25 February 2026.
From this date, visitors to the UK from 85 visa‑exempt countries, including EU nations, the US, Canada, Australia and Japan, will no longer be able to board a flight, ferry or train without a valid ETA. Airlines and other carriers will be legally required to check this before departure, meaning travellers who haven’t applied in advance will simply be turned away.
The ETA isn’t a visa, but a digital pre‑travel clearance that mirrors systems already in place in the US and Canada. It costs £16 and is valid for two years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. The ETA permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time.
Most applications are approved automatically within minutes, although the government advises allowing up to three working days in case a manual review is needed. Applications can be completed online or via the official UK ETA app.
This shift marks the end of the transition period that has been in place since the ETA first launched. Until now, travellers could still arrive without one as the system was phased in. That grace period disappears in February, and “no permission, no travel” becomes the firm rule. More than 13 million visitors have already applied since 2023, and the UK government says the change is part of a wider strategy to modernise border control, improve security checks before departure and reduce delays at the point of entry.
For travel managers, teams on the move and any organisation coordinating group travel, the key takeaway is that the ETA now needs to form part of every pre‑trip process. It’s especially important to be aware of the impact on dual nationals: British and Irish citizens must travel on a valid British or Irish passport, as those who use a different passport could unexpectedly fall into the visa‑free category and be denied boarding without an ETA.
With February 2026 fast approaching, now is the time to update traveller communications and ensure everyone is prepared. If you have any queries, please get in touch with our expert travel team. In the meantime we’ll continue to monitor developments and support our clients so that travel remains smooth, compliant and stress‑free.
