New UK Entry Rules Now in Effect—What Canadian Travellers Need to Know

Canadians planning a short-term trip to the United Kingdom must now obtain a digital travel permit before entering the country.

Canada is one of 85 countries including the United States, Australia, and France whose residents now require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before visiting the UK.

Digital travel waivers, also known as ETAs, became mandatory this week for all visitors who do not require a visa to enter the UK, according to the UK government website. The document is linked to travellers’ passports and pre-approves them for entry ahead of their arrival.

British High Commissioner to Canada Rob Tinline said the change is part of the UK’s transition to a digital immigration system.

“Essentially it’s about modernizing the border, making sure that we’re clear who’s coming to the UK, who’s leaving,” Tinline said in a recent Facebook post. “It’s about keeping our borders secure, but it’s not about getting in the way of people who want to come to the UK and have a great visit.”

Authorization is typically approved within 10 minutes, but travellers are urged to submit their ETA application at least three business days prior to departure, the government said. Travellers will need a valid Canadian passport to apply.

Once an ETA is approved it remains valid for two years and can be used multiple times within the designated time frame. Travellers can stay in the country for a maximum of six months per visit.

ETAs are necessary for both adults and children and are valid for two years from the date of approval as long as traveller’s passport has not expired. Since ETA applications are linked to visitor passports, the issuance of a new passport requires travellers to reapply for their ETA.

ETA exemptions include individuals who hold Irish passports, dual citizens possessing either British or Irish passports, as well as those who have valid UK visas for the purposes of residing, working, or studying.

The ETA fee is a non-refundable charge of  16 pounds (C$30). Travellers can submit their applications via the official app on the UK government’s website.

The system has been operational for more than a year, but a grace period allowed some eligible travellers to embark on their journey to the UK without a valid electronic travel authorization.

That grace period ended this week. Foreign visitors who are exempt from a UK visa but lack an approved ETA will be prohibited from boarding any plane, train, or ferry that is headed to the United Kingdom.

EU Changes

The European Union will roll out a similar system in the final quarter of 2026.

Canadians currently need only their passport to travel in most European countries but will soon need an approved visa waiver through the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). ETIAS function as an electronic visa waiver that assesses non-EU citizens before granting them entry.

“ETIAS will help identify potential security threats and make Europe safer for residents and travelers,” the says an advisory. “The ETIAS system has received support from all the EU member countries.”

The waiver is required for all short-term visits and is valid for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The document is also linked to a traveller’s passport and is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires. Anyone who receives a new passport will also need a new ETIAS travel authorization.

The application fee for the ETIAS is 20 euros, or roughly C$32.25.

The EU said application processing is usually done within minutes but could take longer if authorities request additional information or documentation.