Who needs an ETA to travel to UK from February 2026 and how to apply

25 February 2026

From 25 February 2026 visitors to the UK from 85 nationalities such as the USA, Australia or EU nations will need to have applied for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

The online permit, which works much like the ESTA for the USA, has been rolled out in phases, to allow people and airlines to get used to the scheme, with over 19 million ETAs issued since October 2023. Now the prior travel permission is meant to be mandatory to board a carrier to the UK and for entry to the UK.

What is the UK’s ETA?

Acting as a pre-travel vetting scheme aimed to strengthen border security, the Electronic Travel Authorisation is one of the components of the UK Government’s digitalisation of travel and immigration to the UK. The advance travel permission is required for all non-visa nationals when travelling to the UK without a visa, either as a Visitor or a Creative Worker.

Non-visa nationals are those that do not generally need to be granted a visa to visit the UK. Every non-visa visitor, regardless of age (yes, children and babies included) is required to obtain their own ETA before making their trip to the UK. Visa holders do not need an ETA and British and Irish citizens are not subject to immigration control.

Key features of the UK’s ETA

• Cost £16.
• Allows multiple visits to Britain for up to six months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study, or up to three months on the Creative Worker visa concession.
• Valid for two years, or until your passport expires (whichever is first).
• Once approved, the ETA is digitally linked to the passport used in the application.
• Not a visa. Instead, it is a pre-travel authorisation that allows eligible travellers to board a flight, ferry, or train to the UK. Final permission to enter is still granted by an immigration officer upon arrival (though some nationals can enter via eGates).

How to apply for the UK’s ETA

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the ETA through the UK ETA app, which can be downloaded from the Google Play or Apple App Store. Those unable to can also fill out an online form which you can find here. (You can also check your ETA online from this link.)

Applying involves simple questions such as name, date of birth, nationality, previous immigration history and criminal convictions. You will need to provide biometric information, have a valid passport (biometric chipped or not) and answer a short set of questions to assess your suitability for travel to the UK.

How long does an ETA take to process?

Most applicants currently get an automatic decision in minutes when applying through the UK ETA app. You should usually receive a decision by email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) within a day. The email will contain your 16 digit ETA reference number. If you have not received a decision after three working days, UKVI recommend checking your spam or junk email folder before contacting them.

It is recommended to apply for an ETA at the very least three working days in advance of travel, though preferably more, as occasionally applications may need further review or are refused, which may then entail applying for a visitor visa. The service standard for a visitor visa is three weeks, but it can arrive sooner or later than that.

Who needs an ETA to travel to the UK?

All non-visa UK visitors, regardless of age need an ETA before boarding a carrier to the UK. Non-visa nationals are those from Canada, Australia, USA, Japan, EU and EEA and other nations that do not require a visa to enter the UK as a visitor.

Those arriving as a Visitor include those who visit the UK to see friends and family, for tourism, business (more on permitted business activities here) and short-term study. Additionally, individuals coming to the UK for up to three months on the Creative Worker visa concession can also apply for the ETA. It should also be noted that if travellers are transiting through the UK, they will still need to obtain a valid ETA if they pass through UK border control – it is advisable to check with your airline if you are unsure.

Who does not need an ETA to travel to the UK?

You do not require an ETA if:

• you are a British or Irish citizen (if you are a dual citizen with British or Irish citizenship, be sure to use your valid British or Irish passport or a valid passport containing a certificate of entitlement);
• you have a UK visa (you should have a valid eVisa or temporary vignette in your passport);
• you have permission to live, work or study in the UK, including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode;
• you are transiting through a UK airport and you will not pass through border control (check with your airline if you are not sure);
• you are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport;
• you are travelling with a British National (Overseas) passport;
• you live in Ireland and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man;
• you are a child travelling on the France-UK school trip travel information form;
• you are exempt from immigration control or do not need permission to enter;
• you are awaiting a decision on your EU Settlement Scheme application.

What do dual nationals need to know about the UK’s ETA?

You cannot obtain an ETA if you are a dual citizen with either British or Irish citizenship. In such cases you should use a valid UK or Irish passport or another valid passport containing a document called a “certificate of entitlement” to travel to the UK. These certificates cost £589 – around six times more than a British passport, which has caused an outcry from dual citizens who do not hold a British passport.

In response, the UK Home Office has now issued temporary guidance that 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.

You will need to have additional identity checks to verify your citizenship before you can proceed through UK passport control.

British citizens who are overseas and have previously had a passport issued on or after 1 January 2006 and need to travel within the next six weeks may apply for an emergency travel document – usually valid for one single or return journey. This costs £125 and can take at least two weeks to process.

What if an ETA is refused?

If your ETA application is rejected you will be given a reason and though you cannot appeal and the application is not refundable, you can apply for an ETA again, or for a visa to come to the UK. If applying for a visa because of a prior refusal or other complication such as a criminal conviction, you may want to seek legal advice.

Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law Senior Counsel Ross Kennedy has a proven track record of successful practice with over a decade experience in personal and business immigration. He is a regular participant of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (ILPA) Economic Migration Working Group and a contributing author for Lexis PSL, as well as writing about immigration law developments for other legal, immigration and national publications.

Photograph by Josue Isai Ramos Figueroa / Unsplash