VISITING THE UK - FROM 25 FEBRUARY 2026, AN ETA WILL BE REQUIRED FOR SHORT STAY VISITS.
Who does this affect?
You will need an ETA if you are a national of a country that does not require a visa to visit the UK (including EU nationals), are travelling for a short stay of up to six months, and do not hold a UK visa, Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), or Biometric Residence Card (BRC).
Please note that British and Irish nationals do not require an ETA.
When to apply
You must apply for your ETA at least 3 days before your flight. You can apply online at www.gov.uk/eta or through the UK ETA app.
Your stay must be shorter than 6 months, whether you are travelling for business and leisure. You do not need an ETA if you have permission to live, work or study in the UK.
Once granted, your ETA is available for multiple journeys over 2 years or until your passport expires – whichever is soonest.
What happens next?
The UK government will link your ETA to the passport you used in your application and will confirm if airlines can issue your boarding pass.
An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK; you will still need to go through passport control to enter the UK.
If you are denied entry for any reason this will be due to UK policy.
Further information on ETA's on https://www.gov.uk/eta | | |
