UK to strictly enforce electronic travel Authorisation scheme from February 25

The United Kingdom will begin strict enforcement of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme from Wednesday, February 25, 2026, marking a major shift in entry requirements for visa-exempt travellers.

Under the updated rules issued by the UK Home Office, all visitors from 85 nationalities who do not currently require a visa, including citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and all EU member states, must obtain digital travel authorization before departure.

Mandatory boarding verification

Transport operators, including airlines, ferry companies, and Eurostar services, have been instructed to implement a strict “hard stop” boarding policy.

Carriers must verify that passengers hold a valid ETA or eVisa before allowing them to board. Travellers without approved digital permission will be denied boarding. The previous grace period, which allowed limited discretion if an application was pending, ends at midnight on February 24.

For transit passengers, an ETA is required if travelers pass through UK passport control. It is generally not required for airside-only transit at Heathrow (LHR) or Manchester (MAN), provided the passenger does not clear immigration.

Dual citizens and residents

The enforcement introduces clearer documentation rules for certain categories of travelers. Dual British citizens are exempt from the ETA requirement but must present a valid British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement. Those attempting to travel on a non-British passport without proof of status may be refused boarding.

Irish citizens remain exempt under Common Travel Area arrangements but are advised to travel with a valid Irish passport or passport card for automated verification. Non-Irish nationals legally residing in Ireland may also qualify for exemption when travelling from Ireland to the UK, provided they can present proof of residency.

Application details

The ETA is a digital authorization linked to a specific passport. It is valid for two years, or until the passport expires, and permits multiple visits of up to six months per stay.

The application fee is £16 (approximately $21 USD). Most applications are processed within minutes through the official GOV.UK website or the UK ETA mobile app. However, authorities recommend applying at least three working days in advance in case of more complex cases.

Travelers are strongly advised to use only official government channels to avoid inflated fees charged by third-party websites. The stricter enforcement signals the UK’s move toward a fully digitized border system, aligning with similar electronic travel authorization frameworks already implemented in other major destinations worldwide.