An updated Home Office factsheet confirms that from 25 February 2026 airlines, ferry operators and rail carriers must refuse boarding to visa-exempt travellers who have not obtained a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Although passengers from several Gulf states and Jordan have been using the scheme since 2023, the February milestone represents the first point at which carriers face civil penalties for transporting ETA-less passengers.
The document, published today on the Home Office media blog, also reveals that the government "intends to increase the cost of an ETA to £20"—a 25 per cent jump on the current £16 fee. No implementation date is given, but officials say notice will be provided "in due course". The rise will help fund continued development of the fully digital border and additional security screening.
![Home Office sets 25 February ‘no ETA, no travel’ deadline and signals fee rise to £20]()
Most applications lodged via the UK ETA app receive an automated decision within minutes, but the guidance recommends applying at least three working days before departure to allow for manual checks. Dual British citizens travelling on a non-UK passport are reminded they must carry a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement, or they too will require an ETA after 25 February.
Travel coordinators looking for extra assistance can turn to VisaHQ, which offers an end-to-end ETA application service for both individuals and corporate groups, complete with real-time status tracking and alerts on any fee or policy changes. For details, visit https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/.
Corporate travel managers should update booking workflows to capture ETA status and warn staff of the forthcoming fee change. Airlines operating at Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester will be required to integrate ETA-status checks into their departure-control systems ahead of the deadline.
The document, published today on the Home Office media blog, also reveals that the government "intends to increase the cost of an ETA to £20"—a 25 per cent jump on the current £16 fee. No implementation date is given, but officials say notice will be provided "in due course". The rise will help fund continued development of the fully digital border and additional security screening.
Most applications lodged via the UK ETA app receive an automated decision within minutes, but the guidance recommends applying at least three working days before departure to allow for manual checks. Dual British citizens travelling on a non-UK passport are reminded they must carry a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement, or they too will require an ETA after 25 February.
Travel coordinators looking for extra assistance can turn to VisaHQ, which offers an end-to-end ETA application service for both individuals and corporate groups, complete with real-time status tracking and alerts on any fee or policy changes. For details, visit https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/.
Corporate travel managers should update booking workflows to capture ETA status and warn staff of the forthcoming fee change. Airlines operating at Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester will be required to integrate ETA-status checks into their departure-control systems ahead of the deadline.
