Overview
- Travellers from 85 visa‑exempt countries must hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation or an eVisa before boarding flights to the UK from February 25, 2026.
- Airlines and other carriers will be required to verify passengers’ digital permission prior to departure, with boarding denied if it is missing.
- Applications cost £16 via the official UK ETA app, with most decisions issued in minutes, though applicants are advised to allow up to three working days.
- British and Irish citizens are exempt, and dual British citizens are urged to travel on a valid UK passport or certificate of entitlement to avoid being refused boarding.
- More than 13.3 million ETA applications have been processed since the October 2023 rollout, and the requirement covers short visits and those transiting through UK passport control.