UK Enforces Digital Travel Permit Requirement for Foreign Visitors

Visitors to the UK from 85 countries must now obtain electronic permits in advance of their trips, or they will be barred from traveling, the UK interior ministry said in a Feb. 24 statement.

Effective from Feb. 25, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme requires all visitors who do not need a visa to enter the UK to purchase a pre-travel permit online at a cost of 16 pounds ($21.57).

An ETA allows multiple trips over two years or until a passport expires—whichever comes first—and is digitally linked to the traveler’s passport. British and Irish citizens are exempt, although dual British nationals must present a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement when traveling to the UK.

Officials have said the system strengthens screening before arrival by requiring applicants to submit biographic and biometric details and answer questions related to suitability and criminality.

The enforcement is a significant step toward a “contactless UK border” and a more streamlined immigration system, according to the interior ministry.

UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp said in a statement that the ETA scheme is central to border reform efforts.

“I’d urge anyone wanting to travel to the UK to ensure they are travel ready and have the right permission, to make their journey much smoother,” Tapp said.

The ministry said ETAs are required not only for tourists but also for eligible travelers connecting through the UK if they go through passport control.

Passengers who remain airside at Heathrow or Manchester airports and do not pass through passport control do not currently need an ETA.

Officials said that an ETA is not a visa and does not guarantee entry. Rather, it authorizes travel to the UK, where Border Force officers retain the authority to assess admissibility upon arrival.

Rollout, Revenue

The digital authorization scheme was first introduced in October 2023 and has been expanded in phases. According to data cited by the interior ministry on Feb. 24, more than 19 million visitors have successfully applied since launch.

As of January 2026, the program has generated more than 383 million pounds ($517.7 million) in revenue, which the government said is being reinvested into border and immigration systems.

More than 10 million eVisas have been issued as part of a broader transition away from physical immigration documents.

Starting on Feb. 26, certificates of entitlement—used by some UK citizens to demonstrate right of abode—will be issued in digital format, the government said. That change means applicants will not need to reapply when their passports expire.

Most ETA applications are processed automatically within minutes when submitted through the UK ETA mobile app, officials said. Travelers are advised to apply at least three working days before departure to allow time for further review if necessary.

The ministry said that the ETA fee is “competitive and in line with other countries,” citing the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization and the European Union’s planned European Travel Information and Authorization System.

The government stated that the ETA cost is under review and is expected to rise to 20 pounds in the future, although no date was provided.