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What the new ETA visa means for travelling to and from the UK - EURONEWS
BY Anthony France
Warnings have been issued to overseas visitors to the United Kingdom.
The vast majority must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation in advance.
Incoming travellers who failed to comply were previously given a pass, but that option will come to an end February 2026.
Visitors from 85 nationalities, including the United States, Canada and France, who do not need a visa will not be able to legally travel to the UK without an ETA.
The Home Office said it is a significant step towards digitising the immigration system and paves the way for a contactless UK border in the future.
Mike Tapp, the minister for migration and citizenship, said: “While ETA was being rolled out, it was not strictly enforced, to give visitors ample time to adjust to the new requirement.
“This is the same approach other countries such as the United States and Canada took for their travel schemes.”
Airlines will be checking passengers before they travel, the government added.
Since the launch of ETA in October 2023, more than 13.3 million visitors have successfully applied and benefited from faster, smoother travel, the Home Office said.
The scheme is now a fundamental part of leisure and business travelling, including for overseas visitors who take connecting flights and go through UK passport control.
A spokesman added: “Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission to travel in advance of coming here. This can be either through an Electronic Travel Authorisation or an eVisa.”
Under pressure from London Heathrow Airport, ministers have dropped the bizarre requirement for passengers merely in “airside” transit for a couple of hours to obtain an ETA.
