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New UK travel rules take effect for millions
The United Kingdom begins requiring Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) on Wednesday for visitors from 85 countries who previously entered visa-free, including travelers from the United States and Australia.
What the ETA system entails
The ETA is a digital permit granting entry to the UK for up to six months per visit. Valid for two years or until passport expiration, it covers tourism, business trips, short-term study, and transit-though travelers passing through UK airports without clearing border security remain exempt.
Longer stays or work-related visits still require a traditional visa. British and Irish citizens, along with individuals holding settled status or children on French school trips, are exempt from the requirement.
Application process and costs
The £16 fee (set to rise to £20) is payable via a government-recommended mobile app, where applicants submit passport details, a photo, and answers to eligibility questions. Most approvals arrive within minutes, but officials advise applying at least three working days before travel.
Rejected applicants receive an explanation but cannot appeal; they must instead apply for a visa. Airlines and transport operators now verify ETAs through automated Home Office checks, and travelers may be denied boarding without one.
Dual nationals face hurdles
The policy has disrupted travel plans for dual nationals-those holding both British and foreign citizenship-who cannot obtain an ETA. To re-enter the UK, they must present either a British passport or a £589 digital certificate of entitlement linked to their non-UK passport.
Many dual nationals, including long-term UK residents, lack these documents, which take weeks to process. A British passport costs approximately £100 for adults. Several affected individuals told the BBC they were stranded abroad with insufficient time to comply.
"Public information about the correct documents has been available since October 2024," a Home Office spokesperson said, noting a communications campaign dating back to 2023.
Global context and enforcement
The ETA mirrors systems in Canada (7 CAD/£3.78) and the US ($40.27/£29.75), though costs vary. While the UK introduced the scheme in October 2023, enforcement was delayed until February 25, 2026, to allow adjustments.
Though ETAs grant travel permission, border officials retain discretion to deny entry at passport control. The permit is digitally linked to passports, eliminating the need for paper copies, though the government suggests keeping records.
