Overview
- From February 25, most visitors from 85 visa‑exempt countries must hold a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation or other digital permission before boarding, or they will be refused travel.
- An ETA costs £16, is valid for two years or until passport expiry, covers stays up to six months, and applicants are advised to allow up to three working days for a decision.
- British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA, but dual British nationals cannot use one and must present a valid UK passport or obtain a Certificate of Entitlement, which costs £589.
- The Home Office has allowed carriers, at their discretion, to accept some expired British passports issued since 1989 alongside another valid passport as proof of citizenship.
- Certificates of Entitlement are being issued in digital form from February 26, and lawmakers have pressed ministers for transitional relief after reports of disruption for dual nationals.