�鶹��ýӳ��

Tougher rules for the UK’s ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) visa-free entry scheme mean that from February 25, 2026, all travellers will be required to prove they have obtained the document - or do not need it - before travelling. 

This affects people such as Britons with dual nationality but who do not have a valid UK passport and French national spouses of Britons who live abroad.

Authorities have so far been lenient towards travellers from some countries such as the US and France who did not obtain the document, however this is set to end.

British dual nationals will have to show a valid UK passport (or a certificate of entitlement to live in the UK) and without these may face being refused travel. The UK also states that if they arrive at the UK border without these they will " and will not be able to go through UK passport control until their British nationality is verified".

British and Irish citizens are not meant to apply for an ETA, even if they have a dual citizenship.

This means it is highly advisable for all Britons abroad to ensure they have a valid UK passport, even if not intending to use it, in case they have to travel back in an emergency.

Introduced in 2024 for citizens of certain Middle Eastern countries and then expanded to include all those who do not require a visa to visit the UK by April 2025, the ETA is similar to the US Esta or the EU’s . 

Travellers to the UK who are not British or Irish citizens, and who do not have a UK visa or residency status (visitors of nationalities requiring a short-stay visa to visit are not concerned by ETA) need to obtain an ETA to travel to the country. 

This applies to Americans, Canadians, French and other EU citizens, Australians, and all those who previously benefited from visa-free tourist access to the UK.

Since the launch of the system, the UK has been fairly tolerant, allowing for a transition period where visitors were told to obtain the document but rules were not heavily enforced. 

“While ETA was being rolled out, it was not strictly enforced, to give visitors ample time to adjust to the new requirement,” said the UK in a press conference announcing the incoming rules.

From February 25, 2026 however, it will be mandatory for all travellers required to obtain an ETA to have one to enter the UK. 

“Carriers will be checking people before they travel,” to ensure they will be accepted at the UK border, the government said. 

Those who do not hold a valid document to enter the UK will be denied boarding. 

The ETA is a digital scheme, so the information is stored on passports’ microchips. Holders do not require physical confirmation (such as a paper form) that they hold an ETA.

Apart from this stricter enforcement, other rules are set to remain the same. 

It costs £16 to obtain the ETA, which you apply for online through the or the ‘UK ETA’ smartphone app.

It is recommended to apply at least three working days before travelling as, although the vast majority of ETAs are processed within this time, there are a small number of cases where further review is required. 

Holders of an ETA can travel to the UK for up to six months at a time across the following two years (or until their passport expires), for tourist purposes.

You can read more about the ETA system here.