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The UK Government has confirmed that from 25 February 2026, non-visa nationals will need an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. The change formalises the digital permission requirement and places new compliance duties on carriers and passengers.
The UK Government has announced that, from 25 February 2026, visitors from 85 non-visa countries will be required to secure an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling.
The change, set out by the Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration, confirms that individuals who have previously entered the UK without advance permission such as travellers from the United States, Canada and EU states, must obtain digital clearance prior to boarding.
The requirement follows the staged rollout of the ETA system, which has been operating since 2023 but not previously enforced.
The policy places new responsibilities on airlines and other carriers, which will be required to verify that passengers hold valid permission before departure.
Authorities state that the measure is intended to enhance border security, modernise immigration controls, and support the wider shift toward a fully digital border.
The development raises important questions about travel rights, compliance obligations, and the safeguards necessary to ensure that the system is applied consistently and lawfully.
The UK Government has confirmed that an ETA will be mandatory for all non-visa nationals entering the country from February 2026. British and Irish citizens remain exempt, as do individuals travelling on valid visas or holding established eVisa status.
The Home Office reports that more than 13.3 million ETAs have been issued since the system launched in 2023.
Until now, carriers and border officers have not been required to enforce the requirement in full, allowing time for travellers to adjust to the new process.
From the enforcement date, airlines and other transport operators must verify that passengers hold either an ETA or an eVisa before allowing travel. The ETA application can be completed via the UK ETA app, with most decisions issued automatically, though some cases require additional review.
Officials state that the change aims to support a future contactless border, with digital permission becoming the standard form of pre-entry clearance across the UK’s immigration system.
Under UK immigration law, anyone seeking to enter the country must hold valid permission unless exempt. The new requirement formalises the application of this principle to non-visa nationals, raising questions about how refusals, errors or delays will be handled.
Courts typically consider whether immigration processes are applied lawfully, proportionately, and in accordance with published guidance. Authorities often examine factors such as accessibility of application routes, the clarity of eligibility criteria, and the fairness of decision-making systems.
Carriers also face compliance responsibilities. Under existing carrier-liability rules, airlines may be penalised for transporting passengers without valid permission.
The enforcement of ETAs introduces a new layer of pre-departure checks that must align with statutory duties.
The rollout also touches on data-protection principles. Digital permission systems require the processing of biometric and personal information, and regulators generally assess whether such processing meets UK GDPR standards.
The use of advance digital travel authorisation aligns with wider international practices, including schemes operated by the United States and Canada.
Under frameworks such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and UN human rights standards, states may regulate entry provided the measures are lawful, necessary, and proportionate.
Border-management systems must also comply with equality and non-discrimination duties under the Equality Act 2010.
These frameworks require that new processes do not create unjustified barriers for particular groups, including individuals with limited digital access or those who may face difficulties navigating online systems.
From a public-safety perspective, digital authorisation is intended to support risk assessment and screening before travel.
The OSCE and other international bodies highlight that early-stage identity verification can assist in preventing attempts to evade border controls, provided that such mechanisms incorporate safeguards against misuse and ensure transparency in decision-making.
In practice, “enforcement” of the ETA requirement means that carriers must confirm passengers hold valid permission before departure. Airlines typically perform these checks through existing Advance Passenger Information (API) systems.
Where a traveller attempts to board without permission, carriers may deny travel based on guidance from UK Visas and Immigration. Border Force officers then verify compliance upon arrival and may refuse entry if digital permission has not been obtained.
If concerns arise about fraudulent applications or security risks, cases may be referred to specialist immigration teams for further review. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) becomes relevant only where potential criminal offences such as document fraud are identified.
Ofcom’s responsibilities under the Online Safety Act do not apply directly to ETA processing but may intersect where official digital platforms must meet service-integrity and security requirements.
The shift to mandatory ETAs introduces administrative obligations for millions of travellers, potentially affecting those who travel at short notice or who lack digital access. Clear communication will be essential to reduce travel disruption.
There may also be implications for community trust in immigration systems. Transparent criteria and predictable decision times help maintain confidence that border processes are consistent and non-discriminatory.
Digital authorisation can support public safety by enabling early screening, though it also extends the role of carriers as compliance partners. Ensuring that checks are applied uniformly will be important to avoid inconsistent outcomes and minimise operational challenges for airlines.
The ETA sits within the broader framework of the Immigration Act 1971 and subsequent legislation granting powers to require permission before entry. The system operates alongside existing visa routes and eVisa processes administered by UK Visas and Immigration.
No. An ETA permits a person to travel to the UK, but Border Force officers still determine entry on arrival. This follows the long-standing principle that advance authorisation does not replace statutory border checks.
Most applications receive an automated decision within minutes, but authorities recommend allowing up to three working days. Some cases may require manual assessment based on security or documentation checks.
Carriers are required under existing immigration legislation to confirm that passengers hold valid permission before travel. Failure to comply can result in penalties, similar to the rules that apply to visa checks.
No. British and Irish nationals are exempt from ETA requirements. The Government advises dual British citizens to travel using a British passport to avoid boarding issues.
As the February 2026 enforcement date approaches, authorities are expected to continue public information campaigns explaining the new requirement. Carriers will update their systems to integrate ETA verification into standard pre-departure checks.
Travellers without valid digital permission may be denied boarding, and individual cases may be reviewed through normal immigration processes. Digital-forensic checks, document verification, and risk assessment remain standard components of Border Force procedures.
Authorities typically issue operational guidance closer to enforcement dates to ensure consistent application across ports, carriers and border control points. Monitoring usually involves assessing compliance rates, system performance, and any reported difficulties experienced by travellers.
The enforcement of the ETA requirement from February 2026 marks a significant shift in how non-visa nationals access the UK.
The core legal issue concerns the extension of mandatory pre-travel permission to a large category of visitors, with implications for carrier responsibilities and individual compliance.
The measure reflects the Government’s broader move toward a digital immigration system, raising important considerations about proportionality, accessibility and consistent application.
Understanding how digital permission functions—and the safeguards built around it—will be essential for travellers, carriers and oversight bodies alike.
