The United Kingdom will deny entry to visitors without an Electronic Travel Authorisation, ETA, effective February 25, 2026, the government announced on Monday.
The rule affects nationals from 85 countries, including the United States, Canada, and France, who ordinarily do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom.
According to the Home Office, the enforcement is a significant step towards digitising the immigration system and paving the way for a contactless border in the future.
Under the scheme, everyone who wants to visit the UK must have digital permission through either an ETA or an eVisa. Airlines will be checking people before they travel.
The government says an ETA is now compulsory, including for visitors on connecting flights, who go through UK passport control. More than 13.3 million people have benefited since the launch in October 2023.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, said the ETA scheme further empowers the authorities to block those that pose a threat from entering, while providing “a fuller picture of immigration.”
“ETAs are also better for travellers,” the minister emphasized. “Digitising the immigration system ensures the millions of people we welcome to the UK every year enjoy a more seamless travel experience.”
Although British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens, are exempt from an ETA, the government advised dual British citizens to have a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement to avoid boarding denial when heading to the UK.
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