As the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has been gradually rolled out, travelers from the 84 countries currently exempt from a UK visa are now required to obtain this electronic travel authorization in order to visit the United Kingdom for a short stay.
This travel requirement, which will come fully into effect on February 25 following a “grace period,” already applies to passengers transiting through the United Kingdom en route to the Crown Dependencies, namely the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey. However, for direct routes to these territories, no ETA is currently required.
In a statement published yesterday, the Government of Jersey announced that “the Crown Dependencies anticipate that ETA for direct travel to the Islands will be introduced from April 2026.”
The change announced by Jersey specifically concerns travel that does not pass through “mainland” UK territory. Whereas an earlier timeline had suggested implementation “between late 2025 and early 2026,” the target date is now clearly set for spring 2026.
The official tourism portal Visit Jersey confirms this direction: “Jersey is planning to introduce ETA requirements for visitors travelling directly to the island from international destinations from April 2026. If you are travelling directly to Jersey before April 2026, you will not need an ETA.”
Aligning policy within the Common Travel Area
The Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey, as well as the Isle of Man, are not part of the United Kingdom, but they are members of the Common Travel Area (CTA), alongside the UK and Ireland.
On its website, the Government of Jersey explains that the introduction of ETAs is intended to “secure [our] borders and make the CTA safer by enhancing [our] ability to screen travellers who want to visit or transit through the CTA who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have an immigration status.”
The ETA is not a visa but a digital pre-travel authorization required before departure. Upon arrival, travelers remain subject to border control. Currently priced at £16, the ETA is valid for two years (or until the passport expires, whichever comes first) and allows multiple stays of up to six months each.
ETA for Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man: what this means for travelers
As of February 25, 2026, anyone who is not a British or Irish citizen will need either a visa or an ETA to enter the United Kingdom.
For the Crown Dependencies, the requirement for direct travel is expected to apply “from April 2026,” according to the official announcement.
Until then:
- Direct travel to Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man remains possible without an ETA.
- Travel to these territories via the United Kingdom requires an ETA.
Several exemptions remain in place, including for British and Irish citizens, holders of a valid visa, residents with settled or pre-settled status, and certain other categories provided for under current regulations.
Channel Islands: an ETA exemption for French day-trippers?
Some uncertainty remains regarding French day-trippers traveling to Jersey or Guernsey.
Since 2023, a specific arrangement has allowed French nationals to make same-day visits (without an overnight stay) to these Bailiwicks using a national identity card, without a passport, provided they travel with an approved carrier.
Initially, the introduction of ETAs in the Channel Islands appeared likely to put an end to this arrangement. Several local officials had suggested that this special regime would be difficult to reconcile with the new electronic travel authorization system.
However, when announcing the extension of the program through 2026, Deputy Marc Leadbeater, President of Guernsey’s Committee for Home Affairs, struck a more reassuring tone: “It is also of note that we can continue this scheme after the introduction of ETAs, which did not look likely at first, but will continue to allow French tourists to easily access the island when they travel with a carrier that works with the Guernsey Border Agency.”
This statement contrasts with earlier positions and suggests a possible coexistence between the ETA system and the specific regime for French day-trippers. The precise details and formal confirmation, however, are still awaited.
