Overview
- From 25 February 2026, visitors from 85 visa‑exempt countries must hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation before boarding flights, cruises, coaches or trains to the UK.
- Carriers are required to run automated checks against Home Office records and will refuse boarding to passengers without an ETA, eVisa or other valid documentation, with potential penalties for non‑compliance.
- The ETA is purchased online and costs £16 for adults and £10 for children and infants, is valid for two years or until the passport expires, and allows multiple visits of up to six months each.
- Most visa nationals applying for a UK visit visa now receive an eVisa instead of a physical vignette sticker.
- British and Irish citizens are exempt, while dual‑national Britons must prove their status using a UK passport or right‑of‑abode documentation rather than an ETA.