The UK ETA in 2026: Who Needs It, How to Apply, and What It Does Not Guarantee

The United Kingdom has joined a growing list of countries that demand information from visitors before they board a plane, ship or train. Almost every foreign traveller now needs an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the country. While the requirement was introduced gradually and lightly enforced at first, that transition period is ending: the Home Office says visitors from 85 nationalities who do not need a visa will not be able to travel legally to the UK without an ETA from 25 February 2026.

What counts is nationality, not the starting point of the journey. The only people exempt are British and Irish citizens, holders of eVisas, and those with permission to live, work or study in the UK.

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Who needs an ETA and how to apply

The scheme now covers visitors from 85 nationalities, including the United States, Canada and France. As with the US ESTA and similar systems in Canada and Australia, applications are made online in one of two ways:

• through the official UK ETA app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play
• through the official government website

Applicants supply a photograph and answer a set of questions on suitability and criminality. The ETA is linked to the traveller's passport and costs £16, payable by card or mobile wallet. Once issued, it allows repeated stays of up to six months at a time for two years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

A decision usually arrives within three working days, though most are issued within minutes. Notably, you can begin your journey to the UK while a decision is pending, which can help travellers who only realise at the airport or terminal that they need one.

What the ETA does not do

An ETA is permission to travel, not a guarantee of entry. On arrival you still need to pass a Border Force officer or an ePassport gate, and you can still be refused. Airlines and ferry operators are expected to verify ETA status before boarding and face fines of up to £2,000 for carrying an inadequately documented passenger.

Some exceptions are worth noting. Passengers remaining strictly "airside" in transit at Heathrow or Manchester do not need one, but anyone passing through passport control does. British citizens who also hold a foreign passport cannot enter on an ETA and must use a British passport or a certificate of right of abode.

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How the cost compares and what to watch for

At £16 the UK fee sits in the mid-range of comparable schemes. Australia issues free eVisitor permits, Canada's eTA costs around C$7, the European Union's forthcoming ETIAS is set at €20 for up to three years, and the US ESTA costs $40 for up to two years. The permit is valid for repeated visits, so for frequent travellers the cost is modest.

One persistent risk is third-party websites that pay to rank above the official service and then charge a large mark-up for what is a straightforward application. Travellers should apply only through the official app or government website, and treat any site charging well above the standard fee with caution. If you are unsure when to start, it is best to apply for your ETA well before departure rather than at the last minute.