Travelling to the United Kingdom is about to change for millions of international visitors, after officials confirmed that, from February 2026, travellers who do not hold a valid Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will be barred from boarding their flights, marking a major tightening of pre-departure checks for visa-free arrivals.
The scheme, which has been rolled out in phases over the last several years, applies to most visa-exempt visitors, including travellers from the EU, the US, Canada, Australia, some Commonwealth nations and GCC countries.
The Home Office has said enforcement steps up from 25 February 2026, when ETA-eligible passengers without approval will be denied boarding, and transport operators will be required to check status prior to departure.
“Visitors from 85 nationalities, including the United States, Canada, and France, who do not need a visa will not be able to legally travel to the UK without an ETA from February 25,” the UK Home Office said in a statement last year.
Following the announcement, Emirates warned passengers that they will “not be able to board their transport and cannot legally travel to the UK” if they don’t hold an ETA from that date onwards. Here’s everything travellers need to know.
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What is an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?
An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital permission to travel to the UK for short stays. It is electronically linked to your passport and allows you to visit for tourism, business, seeing friends or family, short courses or transit (if you pass through the UK border). It typically allows stays of up to six months per visit and is valid for multiple entries over a set period.
Is an ETA the same as a visa?
No. A visa is still required for travellers who want to work, study long-term, live in the UK, or stay for purposes that are not permitted under visitor rules. The ETA applies only to travellers who do not normally need a visa to visit the UK — and the final decision on whether you can enter the country is still made by Border Force officers on arrival.
Who needs a UK ETA?
Most travellers from visa-free countries now need an ETA before travelling to the UK. This includes citizens of:
