The Home Office has fired the official starting gun on the final phase of its border-digitisation programme by announcing that, from 25 February 2026, carriers must refuse to board any passenger who is not a British or Irish citizen and who cannot show a valid Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or e-Visa. The press release, issued late on 24 November, closes the two-year ‘soft-launch’ window that has allowed travellers to adapt gradually to the new system. According to the Department, more than 13.3 million ETAs have already been issued since the product first appeared in October 2023.
The decision means visitors from 85 visa-waiver nationalities—including the United States, Canada and France—will need to apply through the official ETA app or website before check-in. The fee is set at £16 and the authorisation is normally granted within minutes but can legally take up to three working days. Airlines, ferry companies and Eurostar will be liable for fines of up to £2,000 per passenger if they fail to verify ETA status.
![UK confirms ‘No permission, no travel’ rule as Electronic Travel Authorisation becomes mandatory from February 2026]()
For businesses, the announcement removes any lingering doubt about timelines. Corporate travel managers must now update traveller-tracking tools, pre-trip approval workflows and carrier messaging to include ETA checks, particularly for short-notice travel. Employers with high volumes of inbound visitors—such as training academies, head-office meetings or conferences—should budget for the extra cost and build lead-time advice into invitation letters.
The Home Office argues that mandatory pre-travel permission will strengthen national security by allowing officials to screen passengers against watch-lists before they leave their point of departure. Critics, however, point out that the change adds another layer of complexity for tourists and business travellers, and that Northern Ireland remains an enforcement blind-spot because of the open land border with the Republic of Ireland.
Practical tip: encourage travellers to apply as soon as their itinerary is fixed; the ETA is valid for unlimited trips of up to six months each over two years (or until passport expiry). Dual nationals should travel only on their British passport to avoid boarding refusals.
The decision means visitors from 85 visa-waiver nationalities—including the United States, Canada and France—will need to apply through the official ETA app or website before check-in. The fee is set at £16 and the authorisation is normally granted within minutes but can legally take up to three working days. Airlines, ferry companies and Eurostar will be liable for fines of up to £2,000 per passenger if they fail to verify ETA status.
For businesses, the announcement removes any lingering doubt about timelines. Corporate travel managers must now update traveller-tracking tools, pre-trip approval workflows and carrier messaging to include ETA checks, particularly for short-notice travel. Employers with high volumes of inbound visitors—such as training academies, head-office meetings or conferences—should budget for the extra cost and build lead-time advice into invitation letters.
The Home Office argues that mandatory pre-travel permission will strengthen national security by allowing officials to screen passengers against watch-lists before they leave their point of departure. Critics, however, point out that the change adds another layer of complexity for tourists and business travellers, and that Northern Ireland remains an enforcement blind-spot because of the open land border with the Republic of Ireland.
Practical tip: encourage travellers to apply as soon as their itinerary is fixed; the ETA is valid for unlimited trips of up to six months each over two years (or until passport expiry). Dual nationals should travel only on their British passport to avoid boarding refusals.
