UK Electronic Waiver Authorisation (ETA)

You may have heard about the UK Electronic Waiver Authorisation system, which was introduced in 2023.  The system began with select Gulf states and expanded in late 2024 to cover 54 countries, including the United States and Canada.  In 2025, all European nationals became required to have an ETA before travel.  In essence, anyone travelling to the UK, now requires either an ETA, eVisa, or visa to enter the United Kingdom.

What is the UK ETA?

According to the UK Home Office, the UK government department that manages immigration and passports, the ETA is a mandatory digital pre-travel authorisation for travellers. 

Unlike a traditional travel visa, the ETA is a streamlined digital authorisation that allows eligible travellers to enter the UK for up to six months. It applies to those travelling for tourism, to visit family and friends, to conduct business or charity work, or for short-term study.

How It Differs from the previous system: 

The previous system allowed many travellers to enter the UK with just their passport.  However, the ETA system introduced several key changes:

Digital Pre-screening:

Instead of being assessed upon arrival, travellers will need to receive authorisation prior to their journey to the UK. This requires completing the online ETA application process, which includes providing passport details, basic personal information, and declaring any criminal convictions or adverse immigration history. 

The UK Home Office then conducts security and background checks, which can take up to 3 working days. Once approved, travellers receive an email notification that the ETA has been linked to the passport provided in the application. The ETA lasts two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. 

Automated Processing:

Once the completed ETA is electronically linked to your passport, you have a digital record of your travel authorisation without having to carry any additional documents. Upon arrival at the UK border, you'll simply need to scan the same passport you used in your ETA application. 

Border Force officials will verify your authorisation status both before you travel and upon arrival, streamlining the entry process while maintaining and enhancing security standards.

For organisations managing group travel, this means:

• Faster processing at borders
• More predictable entry procedures
• Reduced risk of documentation issues
• Streamlined group movement through immigration

Who is Affected?

The UK Government's official guidance specifies that ETAs will be required for non-visa nationals, which includes travellers who previously didn't need a visa for short stays, like:

• EU citizens
• US citizens
• Canadian citizens
• Other visa-exempt nationalities from the 54 participating countries

Following feedback from the aviation industry, the government agreed in January 2025 to a temporary exemption for airside transit passengers who, previously, had to apply for an ETA prior to travel. The Home Office said this exemption “will be kept under review”.  Current rules (as of 9th Feb 2026) state, if you are transiting through a UK airport and you will not pass through border control you will not require an ETA - check with your airline or the UK Gov website if you are not sure.

Do I Need A UK ETA If I Am A Dual Citizen?

You cannot get an ETA if you are a dual citizen with either:

• British citizenship
• Irish citizenship

Prove your permission to travel using one of these:

• a valid UK passport
• a valid Irish passport
• another valid passport containing a certificate of entitlement

If you do not have a valid document

Travelling on or before 24 February 2026

If you’re a British dual citizen with a valid passport for one of the nationalities that can get an ETA, you should be allowed to board transport to the UK as normal, without an ETA.

Travelling on or after 25 February 2026

How Much Does The ETA Cost?:

• Originally £10 per person, the cost was increased to £16 in April 9th 2025.  In January 2026, the UK Government announced it is looking to increase the cost further to £20, however Parliamentary approval is still to be given.
• Valid for multiple entries over 2 years, or at the expiration of your passport, whichever comes first
• All applications must be processed individually.  No group applications or discount rates currently available
• Cost remains the same regardless of stay duration

For mission-driven organisations, the ETA represents a new layer in travel planning and cost management.

Planning Ahead: How to Navigate the changes

As an organisation having to manage these travel requirements, you might be wondering: "How do we adapt our travel policies and procedures to handle these changes?" Here are some considerations to help you navigate the transition smoothly, so your mission can continue without interruption.

Cost Management:

The introduction and expansion of this system brings additional costs that organisations need to factor into their travel planning. Here's what you need to consider:

• Include application fees in project budgets (ETA: £16 per person, this may increase to £20 per person)
• Plan for multiple applications if your team frequently travels between regions
• Consider currency exchange fluctuations when budgeting for international teams
• Build in contingency funds for urgent applications or unexpected travel needs

Organisation-Wide Planning:

We recommend organisations consider:

• Tracking authorisation expiry dates (ETAs valid for 2 years)
• Planning around confirmed processing times (up to 3 working days for ETA)
• Maintaining accurate passport information for all travellers
• Understanding the different implementation dates for each system

Timeline Management:

Organisations should:

• Submit standard ETA applications at least 3 working days before travel
• Allow additional time during peak travel seasons (summer months, major holidays)
• Track authorisation expiry dates for frequent travellers
• Consider the phased implementation schedules when planning future travel

Key Travel’s Visas Solution

Key Travel understands our customers focus needs to remain on their vital work - whether that's ground breaking research, education and knowledge sharing, humanitarian aid delivery, or faith-based missions. 

That’s why we’re here: to simplify every aspect of their travel programme, including ensuring that these new authorisation requirements don't become obstacles to your mission. Through our established partnership with CIBT Visas, global leader in visa and passport processing services, our customers have access to the most up-to-date and accurate information on what is required to enter their destination safely and securely, all at a reduced cost versus public rates.