International law firm Withers LLP issued a detailed client alert on 3 March 2026 spelling out the practical effects of Section 76 of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, which comes into force on 20 March. The section expands the Carrier Liability Scheme so that airlines, rail operators and ferry companies face new civil penalties if they allow passengers to travel to the UK without the correct Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or e-Visa. The briefing notes that, since 25 February 2026, the ‘grace period’ has ended and all non-visa-nationals — including citizens of the United States, Canada and EU Member States — must hold an approved ETA before boarding. Carriers must verify the digital permission through the Home Office’s Advance Passenger Information system; failure to do so can result in fines of up to £10,000 per passenger and liability for repatriation costs.
![New UK carrier-liability rules and full ETA enforcement loom as law firm warns of ‘no-board’ risk]()
To help carriers, companies and individual travellers stay compliant, VisaHQ offers an intuitive platform that handles UK ETA applications, passport renewals and document checks in one place, backed by real-time updates and corporate account management. Full details of their UK services can be found at https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/
Withers flags particular pitfalls for dual nationals. British citizens travelling on a second passport cannot be issued an ETA and must present a valid UK passport; carriers have already reported instances of boarding refusals where names or passport numbers did not match UKVI records. The alert also reminds employers that the EU’s Entry/Exit System will begin biometric border checks for UK travellers from 10 April 2026, tightening the 90/180-day Schengen stay rule. Practical steps recommended include bulk communications to travelling staff, early passport renewals, and adding ETA and passport-validity checks to corporate booking tools. Companies arranging conferences or training in the UK after 25 February should budget extra lead-time for visitors from formerly visa-free markets who may be unfamiliar with the new process.
To help carriers, companies and individual travellers stay compliant, VisaHQ offers an intuitive platform that handles UK ETA applications, passport renewals and document checks in one place, backed by real-time updates and corporate account management. Full details of their UK services can be found at https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/
Withers flags particular pitfalls for dual nationals. British citizens travelling on a second passport cannot be issued an ETA and must present a valid UK passport; carriers have already reported instances of boarding refusals where names or passport numbers did not match UKVI records. The alert also reminds employers that the EU’s Entry/Exit System will begin biometric border checks for UK travellers from 10 April 2026, tightening the 90/180-day Schengen stay rule. Practical steps recommended include bulk communications to travelling staff, early passport renewals, and adding ETA and passport-validity checks to corporate booking tools. Companies arranging conferences or training in the UK after 25 February should budget extra lead-time for visitors from formerly visa-free markets who may be unfamiliar with the new process.
