The UK Home Office has issued a February factsheet reminding carriers that, from 00:01 GMT on 25 February 2026, airlines, ferries and rail operators must deny boarding to any traveller who requires—but has not obtained—an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).(homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk) The document stresses that operational ‘hard-stop’ controls are now fully integrated into departure-control systems worldwide.
Hong Kong SAR passport holders—classified as non-visa nationals—fall within the ETA mandate when visiting the UK for up to six months. Applications cost £16 and can be completed in minutes on the UK ETA app, but the Home Office recommends applying at least 72 hours before departure in case of manual reviews.
Travellers who would like extra reassurance can use VisaHQ’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/), which provides step-by-step assistance with the UK ETA application, real-time status tracking and automated reminders—useful features for both individual passengers and corporate mobility managers aiming to keep itineraries compliant.
![UK to enforce Electronic Travel Authorisation from 25 February; Hong Kong travellers face ‘no ETA, no boarding’ rule]()
Dual British/Hong Kong citizens are exempt from the ETA but must show a valid UK passport or a Certificate of Entitlement; airlines have discretion, on a temporary basis, to accept certain expired UK passports that match a live foreign passport. Carriers risk civil penalties if they uplift passengers without the digital permission.
Corporate mobility teams in Hong Kong are running checks to ensure staff itineraries scheduled after 25 February include a confirmed ETA number in passenger name records (PNRs). Travel-management companies have updated profile validation fields to make ETA entry mandatory and are advising that name changes post-approval will require a new application and fee.
Failure to comply could result in denied boarding at Hong Kong International Airport, missed connections to onward European hubs and additional accommodation costs. Travellers transiting landside at Heathrow or Manchester also need an ETA; sterile transfers that avoid UK border control remain exempt.
Hong Kong SAR passport holders—classified as non-visa nationals—fall within the ETA mandate when visiting the UK for up to six months. Applications cost £16 and can be completed in minutes on the UK ETA app, but the Home Office recommends applying at least 72 hours before departure in case of manual reviews.
Travellers who would like extra reassurance can use VisaHQ’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/), which provides step-by-step assistance with the UK ETA application, real-time status tracking and automated reminders—useful features for both individual passengers and corporate mobility managers aiming to keep itineraries compliant.
Dual British/Hong Kong citizens are exempt from the ETA but must show a valid UK passport or a Certificate of Entitlement; airlines have discretion, on a temporary basis, to accept certain expired UK passports that match a live foreign passport. Carriers risk civil penalties if they uplift passengers without the digital permission.
Corporate mobility teams in Hong Kong are running checks to ensure staff itineraries scheduled after 25 February include a confirmed ETA number in passenger name records (PNRs). Travel-management companies have updated profile validation fields to make ETA entry mandatory and are advising that name changes post-approval will require a new application and fee.
Failure to comply could result in denied boarding at Hong Kong International Airport, missed connections to onward European hubs and additional accommodation costs. Travellers transiting landside at Heathrow or Manchester also need an ETA; sterile transfers that avoid UK border control remain exempt.
