Government to fully enforce Electronic Travel Authorisations from 25 February 2026

The Government announced in November that from 25 February 2026, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement will be strictly enforced, meaning that carriers will refuse boarding without one.

Background

From April 2025 everyone has been required to have digital permission to come to the UK through either an ETA or an eVisa, with some limited exceptions. The purpose of the ETA is for greater control over illegal migrants, and to digitise and streamline the immigration system.

Currently there is an implementation period during which those who require an ETA are permitted to travel with a pending ETA application. However, from 25 February 2026, those without an ETA or eVisa who require one, will be denied boarding.

British and Irish citizens are exempt and do not need an ETA.

How does this affect travellers?

An ETA costs £16, permits multiple journeys to the UK and is valid for two years. They can be applied for through the UK ETA app. Applicants must apply using the passport they will travel with.

Anyone who wants to travel with a passport different from the one used to get their ETA must first apply for a new ETA.

ETA holders may visit the UK for up to six months at a time but cannot use this to make the UK their main home, or place of work or study. Spending more than half the year in the UK may result in entry refusal or denial of future visas.

For those with a criminal conviction, adverse immigration history or other complex factors we recommend that you consider taking immigration advice before applying for an ETA and we would be happy to advise.

The Government recommends that travellers apply at least three working days in advance of travel, although the waiting time can be shorter or longer.

The Government provides digital support through an ETA webchat, which is operated by officials Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and via webform outside these hours.

There is a Government instruction video here and a Government guidance page here.

FAQs

I am a British citizen and hold dual citizenship

Dual British citizens do not need an ETA and are not eligible to apply for one. From 25 February 2026, they must have a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement when travelling to the UK, or they could be denied boarding, or face serious delays, as they will need to have additional identity checks and will not be able to enter the UK until their British nationality is verified.

I am travelling to Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland

Irish citizens are exempt from the requirement to obtain an ETA. All other individuals who require an ETA must apply for one when travelling to Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland, although it should be noted that there are no border checks at the land border.

Legal residents of Ireland from a nationality that does not usually need a visa to visit the UK (e.g. European and US nationals), do not need an ETA when travelling within the Common Travel Area (CTA), which includes the UK, if they can show proof of legal residency in Ireland.

I hold pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

The Government has said that where a person has pre-settled status and their UKVI account is linked to their current passport, carriers should automatically receive a ‘permission to travel’ message.

Where the pre-settled status holder is unable to update their UKVI account with new travel document details, the Government recommends that they obtain a share code using the View and Prove service in advance of travel. The Government has given instructions to carriers that EU citizens and their family members with pre-settled status and a pending application to convert it to settled status, must not be denied boarding if there is no ‘permission to travel’ response.

If it is not possible to create a share code, the carrier can also contact the 24/7 Carrier Support Hub for advice.

I have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and I have received a Certificate of Application (CoA)

The Government has said that by 25 February 2026, for those who do not require a visa to visit the UK and who have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) but who have received a Certificate of Application (CoA), the carrier will receive a ‘permission to travel’ response when checking permission to travel.

If the UKVI account is not up to date with a new travel document, the individual should create a share code. If the carrier is unable to check the permission using the share code, they should contact the 24/7 Carrier Support Hub for advice.

Three key steps

We recommend that:

• Individuals take extra care as far in advance as possible of travel to meet these requirements;
• Employers consider issuing communications to affected staff regarding these requirements;
• Employers consider implementing a business travel policy where approval for business travel must be given 3 months in advance (for example) and where this requirement is flagged.

If you have any questions, please do get in touch with our Immigration team.

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The material in this article is provided for guidance and general information only and is not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice upon which you should rely. In particular, the information should not be used as a substitute for a full and proper consultation with a suitably qualified professional. Please do contact the Bates Wells team if you require further information