Overview
- From 25 February 2026, travelers from 85 visa‑exempt countries must hold an ETA or eVisa, with airlines and other carriers required to check documentation and facing fines of up to £2,000 for inadequately documented arrivals.
- Applications are made via the official UK ETA app for £16, with most decisions issued in minutes, though the Home Office advises allowing up to three working days for further review cases.
- The ETA program began in October 2023 and has issued more than 13.3 million authorizations, ending its soft‑rollout period with firm enforcement now scheduled.
- British and Irish citizens are exempt, and dual British citizens are urged to travel on a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement to avoid boarding issues.
- An ETA is required for visitors who pass UK passport control, including certain connections, but not for purely airside transit; travelers who already need UK visas, such as Indian nationals, are unaffected by this change.