🇬🇧 UK ETA & How to Apply (2026): New Mandatory Travel Rule Explained
By Aviva Visas • Monday, January 5, 2026
🇬🇧 What Is a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?
An ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is an advance digital permission required for specific travellers to visit or transit through the United Kingdom without a full visa. It replaces the assumption of visa-free travel for eligible nationalities and forms part of the UK Home Office’s plan for modern, secure and contactless border checks. GOV.UK
👉 Important: An ETA is not a visa. It allows you to travel to the UK, but border officers still decide final entry at immigration control. GOV.UK
📅 When Does the ETA Become Mandatory?
- Mandatory enforcement from: 25 February 2026
- Before this date, travellers could apply but ETA wasn’t strictly required at boarding. GOV.UK
From 2026 onwards, no ETA = no travel for eligible visitors from visa-free countries. Carriers will be instructed to check ETA status before boarding. GOV.UK
🛂 Who Needs a UK ETA?
You need an ETA if you are a visa-exempt national or territory passport holder and plan to visit, stay short-term, or transit landside through the UK. GOV.UK
Examples include citizens of:
🇺🇸 United States
🇨🇦 Canada
🇦🇺 Australia
🇫🇷 France
🇩🇪 Germany
…and most other EU countries (except Ireland). GOV.UK
❌ You do NOT need an ETA if you are:
- A British or Irish citizen travelling with a valid passport GOV.UK
- Holder of a valid UK visa or residency permit GOV.UK
- Travelling from within the Common Travel Area (e.g. Ireland to the UK) with the right documentation GOV.UK
💷 ETA Application Fee & Validity
- Fee: £16 per applicant (about €18 / $20) paid online at application. GOV.UK
- Validity: Multiple visits for up to 6 months per stay and usually valid for 2 years or until your passport expires — whichever is sooner. BSRA
- Decision time: Most applications are approved within minutes, but it’s recommended to apply at least 3 working days before travel in case of extra checks. GOV.UK
🛠️ How to Apply for UK ETA (Step-by-Step)
- Check eligibility
- Visit the official GOV.UK ETA checker to confirm if your nationality needs ETA. GOV.UK
- Use the official application channel
- Apply via the official UK ETA app or the digital application form on Gov.UK.
- ⚠️ Avoid unofficial sites offering bookings; scams are widespread. Look for gov.uk domains only.
- Prepare your documents
- Valid passport from an ETA-eligible country
- Recent digital passport-style photo (meeting Gov.UK requirements)
- Contact details (email and phone)
- Payment card for the £16 fee GOV.UK
- Submit online
- Complete the form, upload the photo, pay the fee and submit.
- Receive ETA by email
- Once approved, your ETA will be digitally linked to the passport you used in the application. GOV.UK
- Use same passport to travel
- You must travel with the same passport used when applying for the ETA. GOV.UK
📍 Key Tips for a Smooth Application
✔ Apply well before travelling — at least 72 hours ahead. GOV.UK
✔ Always check for official Gov.UK domains when applying.
✔ Keep your ETA confirmation email handy — some carriers may ask for it at boarding.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I use one ETA for multiple visits?
Yes, an ETA generally allows multiple entries for short stays up to six months each time, within its validity period. BSRA
Q2. Do children and infants need their own ETA?
Yes. Each traveller, including children and babies, must have individual ETA approval. GOV.UK
Q3. What if my ETA is refused?
If your ETA application is refused, you may still apply for a visa if you intend to travel, because ETA refusal isn’t a visa refusal. GOV.UK
Q4. I already have a UK visa — do I need an ETA?
No. If you hold a valid UK visa, residency permit, or pre-cleared entry clearance, you don’t need an ETA. GOV.UK
🧭 Final Thoughts
The UK ETA’s “No Permission, No Travel” rule coming into force from February 2026 represents a major step in modernising UK border control and affects millions of travellers from visa-exempt countries. Understanding the ETA requirement, eligibility, fees and application process will help ensure your travel plans remain smooth and trouble-free. GOV.UK
📞 Aviva Visa – Need Help With Your Visa Application?
Address: 341 B Regents Park Road, Finchley Central, London, N3 1DP, UK Aviva Visas
Phone: +44 20 8099 6657 Aviva Visas
Email: avivavisa@visaenquiry.co.uk Aviva Visas
Office Hours:
- Mon–Fri: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sat: By appointment only
- Sun: Closed Aviva Visas
🌍 Useful Schengen Visa Resources
If you’re also planning travel to Europe, AvivaVisas provides specialised guidance on Schengen visas. Here are a couple of helpful pages:
🔗 Schengen Visa Interview Tips & Embassy Questions (2025 Guide) – detailed preparation advice and support from AvivaVisas’ blog. Aviva Visas
🔗 Germany Schengen Visa UK – Hassle-Free Applications – a service page for applying to Germany’s Schengen visa through AvivaVisas. Aviva Visas