Airlines and ferry operators have begun denying boarding to travellers who lack the United Kingdom’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) after enforcement started on February 25. The Home Office confirmed that nationals of 85 visa-exempt countries—including Canada—must hold an approved ETA, eVisa or other valid permission or risk being turned away at check-in. (gov.uk)
An ETA costs £16, is valid for two years and covers multiple entries. Carriers will scan passports against the UK’s Advance Passenger Information System to verify an electronic permission is linked before issuing boarding passes. While British and Irish citizens are exempt, dual nationals travelling on a Canadian passport must present a valid (or some cases an expired) UK passport or a £589 Certificate of Entitlement; they cannot rely on an ETA.
If the application process feels daunting, VisaHQ’s Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) can handle the paperwork end-to-end. The service submits ETA requests, monitors real-time status updates and provides expert support, ensuring travellers resolve any issues long before they reach the check-in desk.
![UK begins strict enforcement of Electronic Travel Authorisation—Canadians must now apply before boarding]()
The move brings the UK in line with comparable pre-screening schemes such as the U.S. ESTA and Canada’s own Electronic Travel Authorization. The Home Office says the digital permission will strengthen border security and pave the way for a “contactless” entry experience.
For Canadian businesses, the change adds a new administrative step to short-notice trips: employees must apply via the ETA mobile app or website and allow up to three working days for approval, though most decisions are issued within minutes. Travel managers should update checklists and briefing materials to avoid costly last-minute rebookings.
Canadian passport holders who transit through the UK and clear passport control—common on multi-segment flights—also need an ETA, so corporate travel policies should cover connecting itineraries.
An ETA costs £16, is valid for two years and covers multiple entries. Carriers will scan passports against the UK’s Advance Passenger Information System to verify an electronic permission is linked before issuing boarding passes. While British and Irish citizens are exempt, dual nationals travelling on a Canadian passport must present a valid (or some cases an expired) UK passport or a £589 Certificate of Entitlement; they cannot rely on an ETA.
If the application process feels daunting, VisaHQ’s Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) can handle the paperwork end-to-end. The service submits ETA requests, monitors real-time status updates and provides expert support, ensuring travellers resolve any issues long before they reach the check-in desk.
The move brings the UK in line with comparable pre-screening schemes such as the U.S. ESTA and Canada’s own Electronic Travel Authorization. The Home Office says the digital permission will strengthen border security and pave the way for a “contactless” entry experience.
For Canadian businesses, the change adds a new administrative step to short-notice trips: employees must apply via the ETA mobile app or website and allow up to three working days for approval, though most decisions are issued within minutes. Travel managers should update checklists and briefing materials to avoid costly last-minute rebookings.
Canadian passport holders who transit through the UK and clear passport control—common on multi-segment flights—also need an ETA, so corporate travel policies should cover connecting itineraries.
