Starting February 25, 2026, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will be strictly required for all visa-exempt visitors traveling to the United Kingdom for short stays of up to six months.
Until now, a grace period had been in place, particularly since the system was extended to European citizens on April 2, 2025.
That transitional period will end on February 25, when visa-exempt travelers from the 84 countries and territories eligible for the ETA who do not hold a valid authorization will no longer be allowed to board their flight or legally enter the United Kingdom.
After the cost of the ETA was already increased shortly after it was extended to European citizens, rising from £10 to £16 on April 9, 2025, the UK government has announced that another fee increase is in the works.
UK: Another ETA fee hike announced
If you’re planning to (re)visit London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, or Belfast in the near future and do not yet have a valid ETA, applying sooner rather than later may be a smart move.
Currently set at £16 (around US$22), the ETA fee is expected to rise to £20, approximately US$27, although no specific timeline has yet been announced.
“As with all our fees the cost of an ETA is kept under review, and we intend to increase the cost of an ETA to £20 in the future,” the Home Office said, adding that it will “provide more information in due course.”
The increase is outlined in a recently published regulatory text issued by UK authorities, which raises several immigration- and nationality-related fees.
Approved by Parliament and the Treasury, the document notably increases the ETA fee cap from £16 to £20, while also confirming similar increases for other administrative procedures (visas, residence permits, etc.).
The higher fee is also expected to apply to the electronic travel authorisation that will soon be required to travel to the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey, as well as the Isle of Man, territories where the ETA is also being gradually introduced as part of the system’s expansion.
A fast and accessible digital system
The ETA currently allows multiple entries into the United Kingdom for stays of up to six months over a two-year period, or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
The electronic travel authorisation is designed as a fully digital process. Applications are primarily submitted through the “UK ETA” mobile app, or via the GOV.UK website for those without a smartphone.
According to the UK government, most applications receive an automated decision within minutes, although travelers are advised to apply at least three business days before departure to allow for any additional checks.
Through the ETA, UK authorities aim to strengthen border security by collecting biographic and biometric information, as well as data related to travelers’ eligibility and criminal history, prior to travel.
This approach mirrors systems already adopted by several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and soon the European Union, all of which seek to screen travelers before arrival.
Nearly 20 million ETAs already issued
Transit passengers who pass through UK passport control are required to hold an ETA, unlike those transiting through Heathrow or Manchester airports without clearing passport control.
British and Irish citizens remain exempt from this requirement, as do certain categories of legal residents in Ireland under the Common Travel Area. Dual British nationals are advised to travel with a valid British passport to avoid enhanced screening.
Since the program was launched in October 2023 through the end of September 2025, 19.6 million electronic travel authorisations have been issued, according to official figures released by the UK government.
