No permission, no travel: UK set to enforce ETA scheme

In a major overhaul of its immigration rules, the United Kingdom has announced that citizens from countries that do not require a visa to enter the UK will now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the country. This new rule will take effect on February 25. 2026.
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What is an Electric Travel Authorisation (ETA)

ETA is basically an advanced digital permission that tourists need to visit the UK. It can also be called an electronic permit, which is directly linked to one's passport. However, one must not confuse it with a visa. The main difference is that an ETA allows you to travel to the UK but does not guarantee your entry, as the final decision is taken by UK Border Force officials on your arrival.
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But initially, it was launched for only selected Gulf nationals. Now, it is being expanded to other regions.
Why this new rule?

There are multiple reasons why the UK made this significant change in its travel policy. Once the ETA comes into effect, it will simplify and streamline immigration officials' task of screening people entering the United Kingdom.
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As the number of manual check-ins will be reduced with Electric Travel Authorisation, travellers will now have to undergo immigration checks, which are simple and quicker.

Will I need Electric Travel Authorisation?

We can understand that there is a lot of confusion around ETA. However, it is very simple to find out whether you will need it or not. If you live in a country whose citizens do not require a visa to enter the UK then you will need an ETA. Be it a work visit, holidays or any other reason, you will require an ETA. In most cases, an ETA issued by UK immigration is valid for 6 months, and in this time frame, you can visit the UK multiple times.

Exemptions for ETA

1. If you are British or Irish, you do not need an Electric Travel Authorisation to enter the UK.
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2. People having valid student or work visas will also not require an ETA to enter the United Kingdom.

How to obtain an ETA

In most cases, the approval for ETA comes within a few minutes. However, in some cases, it may take up to 3-4 working days. In case you're wondering about the validity of ETA, it is issued for a duration of 6 months, and one can have multiple visits to the UK in that time period.

How much will it cost me to apply for an Electric Travel Authorisation?

The cost for applying for Electric Travel Authorisation for one person will roughly be around £16. However, this cost may be changed by the time, this new rule comes into action. 
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Impact of ETA on Travellers & Airlines

This new rule for entering the UK would mean that travellers have to pre-plan their trips in advance. This rule would no longer allow them to book a ticket and directly show up at the airport. In case a person forgets to apply for the Electric Travel Authorisation, he/she will be denied entry at the departure point itself.

​What should travellers do?

With this big change announced by the UK government for nationals from visa-free countries, here are a few things that you should do in advance to have a smooth travel experience
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1. If you belong to a country that is listed in the visa-free list, then you will 100% need an ETA to enter the UK.
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2. It is always better to apply for an ETA at least a week before because an ETA application can take 3-6 days.
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3. Travellers are advised to strictly use the UK government's official website for filing for an ETA. This will keep scamsters and fraudsters away from you.
Though Electronic Travel Authorisation is an extra step one has to complete before travelling to the UK if coming from a visa-free country, this new rule will help make the immigration process in the UK streamlined and smooth. The new rule is applicable from February 25, 2026

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