London: Visitors from 85 nationalities, including the United States, Canada, and France, will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK from 25 February 2026. This measure will affect travelers who currently do not need a visa, marking a significant shift in the UK's immigration system.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the Home Office has announced that the enforcement of ETA is a step towards digitising the immigration process, aiming to establish a contactless border in the future. The new requirement ensures that everyone wishing to enter the UK must have digital permission through either an ETA or an eVisa, with carriers responsible for verifying these permissions before travel.
Since the introduction of ETA in October 2023, over 13.3 million visitors have successfully applied, benefiting from a more efficient travel process. The Home Office has highlighted that ETAs have become integral to travel, particularly for visitors taking connecting flights and passing through UK passport control.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp stated that ETAs enhance the UK's ability to prevent individuals posing threats from entering the country while offering travelers a more seamless experience. He emphasized that digitising the immigration system improves the travel experience for the millions welcomed to the UK annually.
Initially, the ETA scheme was not strictly enforced to allow visitors time to adapt, a strategy similar to those adopted by countries like the United States and Canada for their travel systems. The application process for an ETA is designed to be quick and straightforward via the official UK ETA app, with a competitive cost of £16. While most applicants receive an automatic decision within minutes, it is advised to allow three working days for cases needing further review.
British and Irish citizens, including dual nationals, are exempt from the ETA requirement. However, the UK Government advises dual British citizens to ensure they possess a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement to avoid travel issues when the enforcement begins in February 2026.