Travelling to the UK is set to become more expensive for foreign visitors under Home Office plans to hike visa costs. A new entry rule came into effect in April last year which requires foreign visitors to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK if they don’t need a visa for short stays of up to six months, or don’t already have a UK immigration status. The ETA is essentially a digital permission to travel – it’s not a visa or tax, and doesn’t permit entry into the UK, it simply authorises a personal to travel to the country. The system is similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) in the United States, which requires pre-travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa.
British and Irish citizens, as well as people with status under the EU Settlement Scheme, don’t require an ETA, but millions of visa-free travellers do.
The Home Office has announced that from February 25, 2026, eligible visitors without an ETA won’t be able to board their transport and cannot travel to the UK. The cost of an ETA is also due to rise from £16 to £20 in the future, meaning more expense for visitors.
Once you have an ETA it remains valid for two years, or until your passport expires – whichever comes first – and it allows multiple entries to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time.
The Home Office said: “From 25 February 2026 eligible visitors without an ETA will not be able to board their transport and cannot travel to the UK.
“Eligible visitors who take connecting flights (transiting) and go through UK passport control need an ETA. Those transiting through Heathrow and Manchester airports who do not go through UK passport control do not currently need an ETA.”
The government department added: “An ETA currently costs £16 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. Other application services may charge a higher fee than the UK Government.
“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. We will provide more information in due course.
“The introduction of ETAs is in line with the approach many other countries have taken to border security, including the US and Australia, and helps prevent the arrival of those who present a threat to the UK.”
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ETA applications can be made through the UK ETA app or via the GOV.UK website and you’ll need to provide your contact and passport details, a valid photo and answer a set of questions.
The Home Office says most applicants get an automatic decision in minutes when applying through the UK ETA app, but people are advised to allow three working days to take account of the small number of cases which need further review.
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