The UK authorities has warned European travellers that they are going to be refused entry from February 2026, if they don’t have the required ETA visa waiver.
The UK first launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in 2023, step by step rolling it out in order that by April 2025 it was obligatory for anybody getting into the UK – except for these travelling on a UK or Irish passport.
But though the scheme has been in place for nearly 9 months now, individuals who haven’t had the required authorisation have principally not really been prevented from getting into the nation.
This part is because of finish on February twenty fifth, 2026.
The UK authorities warns that from that date, individuals who haven’t got the ETA if required will probably be denied entry, or denied boarding if travelling by aircraft.
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The UK authorities says: “From February 2026, guests won’t be able to journey to the UK with out advance permission.
“This is a major step in direction of digitising the immigration system and paves the way in which for a contactless UK border sooner or later.
“Enforcing will imply that everybody who needs to return to the UK will need to have digital permission via both an ETA or an eVisa. Carriers will probably be checking folks earlier than they journey.”
What is ETA?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation is, technically, not a visa, relatively it’s a visa waiver.
However its introduction ends paperwork-free journey to the UK for folks from international locations the place a visa shouldn’t be required for a brief keep – together with Americans, Canadian, Australians and residents of all EU/EEA international locations.
Only people who find themselves travelling on a sound UK or Irish passport are exempt from the brand new requirement. People who’ve a British long-stay visa or residency standing ought to present that on the border as an alternative.
Travellers should apply for the ETA upfront of journey, and it might solely be obtained on-line – discover full directions on how one can get one HERE.
An ETA, at a price of £16 (round €18), have to be obtained for every traveller, together with youngsters. It is suggested to use for it not less than three days upfront of journey, though the UK authorities says that “most functions are processed in minutes”. Once obtained, it’s legitimate for 2 years – until you get a brand new passport throughout that interval.
Be cautious that you’re on the right Gov.uk web site or app, there are lots of scammers on the market, in addition to firms that may cost you far in extra of the £16 charge to get the ETA for you.Â
READ ALSO: How to keep away from ETA scams for France-UK journey✎
What about twin nationals?
Unfortunately, in the case of ETA the recommendation for British twin nationals, and Irish twin nationals for that matter, has been complicated and contradictory.
For individuals who have a sound UK passport, plus the passport of one other nation, the scenario is sort of easy – it is suggested to make use of the UK passport to enter the UK, with the intention to keep away from the necessity for an ETA.
Dual British-Irish nationals can use both passport.
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However for many who are British residents however who haven’t got a present, legitimate UK passport (and maybe have by no means had one) and who do not fancy spending £108 on getting a UK passport after they have already got a sound passport of one other nation, it is slightly extra sophisticated.
In concept, they need to be capable to merely select to journey on their different passport, and full the ETA formalities as required. UK regulation doesn’t require twin nationals to make use of their UK passport to enter the nation as, for instance, is the regulation within the USA.
However the ETA web site and app seems to be arrange in such a means that twin nationals can solely get an ETA in the event that they fail to reveal their British nationality.
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To make issues worse, the UK authorities has continually modified its recommendation and offered conflicting and typically deceptive info on this subject.
The British Embassy in Sweden presently states “Dual British residents will need to have a sound British passport when travelling to the UK.”
However the UK authorities factsheet presently says it’s only “strongly suggested” to have a sound British passport and warned that failure to have one might result in passengers being “denied boarding”.Â
The British authorities’s ETA web page for twin residents additionally warns that after February twenty fifth 2026: “You might not be capable to board your transport to the UK and not using a legitimate doc.”
And it states: “You might want to have further id checks to confirm your citizenship earlier than you’ll be able to undergo UK passport management.”
In April, the Home Office instructed The Local:Â “In the long run, British twin residents who don’t possess a sound British passport or certificates of entitlement might encounter difficulties on the level of boarding or on the UK border. It is suggested that passengers on this place start to make the required preparations now, to keep away from such issues at a later date.”
Getting or renewing a UK passport from outdoors the UK now prices £108, whereas a Certificate of Entitlement prices an eye-watering £550. Both processes take a number of weeks and within the case of a Certificate of Entitlement can contain an in-person go to to a visa processing centre.
