No ETA, No UK: The New Rule That Could Stop Americans at the Border

What travelers need to know

The ETA isn’t a visa, exactly — more like a digital travel approval for visitors from countries that don’t normally require a visa to visit the UK. That includes the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Europe. The ETA allows a traveler to visit the UK for up to six months for the purposes of tourism, business, visiting family, or just traveling through (yes, you need one even if you’re just connecting through the UK). It’s generally valid for multiple trips over two years, or until the traveler’s passport expires (whichever comes first).

Travelers need to apply through the official UK ETA website or mobile app (for Apple and Google Play) and must submit a passport scan, a straightforward photo of their face, and basic details about their history and travel plans. Approval usually takes only a few days, though officials advise that you not leave it until the last minute. The current fee is 16 pounds ($21.50) per person and every person needs their own ETA, including infants.

Wait, didn’t the ETA already start in 2025?

Yes — technically, it began more than a year ago. But in practice, you could ignore it. The UK formally introduced the ETA requirement in phases starting in late 2024. Legally, Americans were supposed to start applying for it as of January 2025, with travelers from the rest of Europe required to obtain one by April of 2025. However, that rollout period was treated as somewhat of a test, and the regulation wasn’t enforced during the rollout period. So until now, travelers wouldn’t be refused entry at the border without an ETA if they met all the other entry requirements.

That will change on February 25, 2026, when carrier liability kicks in. On that date, all carriers, such as airlines, ferry operators, and train companies, must verify that each passenger has a valid ETA before departure. In practice, if you don’t have a UK ETA, you won’t be allowed to board your flight. So while the ETA technically existed before then, February 2026 is when it becomes truly mandatory and unavoidable.

Remember that the ETA is valid for two years, but tied to your passport. If you replace your passport, you’ll need to apply for a new ETA.

Why introduce an ETA at all?

The UK’s ETA is part of the government’s push toward a “more streamlined, digital immigration system” designed to make UK immigration both quicker and more secure by doing some of the security process ahead of time. Like the new ETIAS requirement being introduced in the EU, the UK says the program will give the country “greater power to stop those who pose a threat from setting foot in the country,” while also making the actual process of moving through the border quicker. Practically, the ETA allows the UK government to make decisions while shifting some of the enforcement burden to the airlines and other carriers. If a carrier allows someone without an ETA to fly, it can be fined up to £2,000 ($2,687) per passenger and be required to cover the costs of removing the traveler from the UK. Subsequent violations can result in increased fees, delays, or more significant reprimands from UK authorities.