For years, many visitors could book a flight to Britain with little more than a valid passport. That has changed. Since 25 February 2026, the UK has fully enforced its digital permission-to-travel system, meaning most non-visa nationals must obtain an ETA before starting their journey. Carriers can check a traveller’s status before departure and may refuse boarding when the required permission is missing.
The ETA UK electronic travel authorisation is not a visa and does not guarantee entry at the border. It is advance digital permission to travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man. For tourists, business visitors and families planning trips in 2026, checking the requirement is now an essential part of travel preparation.
What Is a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation?
An ETA is an electronic record linked to the passport used in the application. There is no physical card or passport sticker. Once approved, the traveller normally presents the same passport to the carrier and at the border.
The scheme mainly affects people who previously benefited from visa-free travel UK rules for short visits. They may still visit without obtaining a full visitor visa, but advance authorisation is required unless an exemption applies.
An approved ETA allows multiple journeys during its validity period. On each trip, a person can normally seek permission to remain for up to six months. Border officials can still question the traveller and refuse entry if the immigration requirements are not met.
Who Needs an ETA in 2026?
Most visitors from countries whose citizens do not normally need a visa for a short UK visit now require an ETA. This includes many travellers from Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and other non-visa national countries.
The requirement applies to every traveller, including babies and children. A parent or another responsible adult can complete an application on a child’s behalf, but each person must have an individual authorisation.
An ETA can cover tourism, visits to relatives or friends, permitted business activities and short-term study for up to six months. It may also cover certain permitted paid engagements, qualifying Creative Worker concession visits and landside airport transit.
When a Visa Is Required Instead
An ETA is not a replacement for every UK visa. Travellers generally need the appropriate visa if they intend to work for a UK employer, live in the country, remain for longer than six months or undertake an activity outside the visitor rules.
Anyone travelling to marry, register a civil partnership or give formal notice cannot use an ETA for that purpose. A Marriage Visitor visa or another suitable route may be required. People with criminal convictions or previous immigration problems should also review the rules carefully.
Who Does Not Need a UK ETA?
British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA. British dual nationals cannot obtain one and should usually travel with a valid British passport, a valid Irish passport or another accepted document proving their right of abode.
A person also does not need an ETA if they already hold a valid UK visa or have permission to live, work or study in the UK. This includes people with settled or pre-settled status.
Other exemptions can apply to certain British nationality passport holders, people exempt from immigration control, eligible school-trip participants and some legal residents of Ireland entering from within the Common Travel Area. The Irish-resident exemption has specific conditions, so travellers should check the evidence they need.
Do Transit Passengers Need One?
It depends on whether the passenger passes through UK border control. A traveller making a landside connection normally needs an ETA. Someone who remains airside and does not pass through border control does not currently need one. Airport arrangements vary, so checking with the airline is sensible.
Electronic Travel Authorisation Cost and Validity
The current electronic travel authorisation cost is £20 per person. The fee applies whether the traveller uses the official UK ETA app or the government’s online service, and it is not refundable after submission.
An ETA normally lasts for two years or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first. It permits multiple trips during that period. Because it cannot be transferred, anyone who renews or replaces the passport used for the application must obtain a new ETA.
Travellers should avoid unofficial websites that imitate government services or add unnecessary processing fees. Applying through a private service does not produce a faster decision.
How to Complete an ETA Application UK Travellers Need
The simplest route is usually the official UK ETA app, although an online form is available. Applicants need the passport they will travel with, an email address and a payment method. They must provide a facial image, passport and contact details, and answers to suitability and criminality questions.
The app uses the phone’s camera to scan the passport and face. Someone can apply through the app for another person who is present. When applying for someone elsewhere, the online service should be used with suitable images of that person and their passport.
UK Visas and Immigration usually sends a decision by email within a day, and many applicants receive a result within minutes. Travellers should still allow up to three working days and wait for confirmation before beginning their journey. Applications submitted together may be decided at different times.
What an ETA Does Not Allow
An ETA holder cannot stay beyond the permitted period, claim public funds or use frequent visits to make the UK their main home. Paid or unpaid work for a UK company is generally prohibited unless it falls within a specific permitted activity or concession.
Approval only authorises travel. Border officials may still ask about accommodation, return plans, funds and the purpose of the visit. Carrying documents that support a genuine short stay can make the arrival process smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UK ETA mandatory in 2026?
Yes, for eligible non-visa nationals. Full enforcement began on 25 February 2026, so someone without the required ETA or another valid permission may be prevented from boarding.
How much does a UK ETA cost?
The official application fee is currently £20 for each traveller, including children and babies.
How long does an ETA take to approve?
Many applicants receive a quick decision, but travellers should allow up to three working days and should not travel before receiving confirmation.
Can I work in the UK with an ETA?
Not in ordinary UK employment. An ETA supports permitted visitor activities and limited exceptions. Anyone intending to take a job or perform work outside those rules generally needs an appropriate visa.
Conclusion
The ETA UK electronic travel authorisation has made advance digital permission a standard requirement for millions of visitors who previously travelled without a visa. Checking eligibility early, applying through the official service and using the same passport throughout can prevent avoidable disruption.
With enforcement now in place, leaving the ETA application UK process until the airport could mean a missed journey. A brief check before departure helps ensure that visa-free travel to the UK begins with the correct authorisation.