UK ETA Requirements Start February 25 2026 What US Canadian and French Travelers Need to Know

Travelers heading to the United Kingdom should be aware that major entry requirements are changing in just four days, on February 25th, 2026. According to the UK government, visitors from 85 nationalities, including the United States, Canada, and France, will no longer be able to travel to the UK without advance digital permission through an Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA. The ETA system has been in place since October 2023, but until now it was not strictly enforced. Starting February 25th, that grace period ends. Carriers will be checking passengers before they board, and without proper authorization, you will be denied boarding. The application process is straightforward and costs £16, with most applicants receiving approval automatically within minutes, though the UK government recommends allowing three working days for cases requiring additional review. British and Irish citizens are exempt from needing an ETA, but there's a critical caveat for dual nationals. If you hold a British passport alongside another nationality, you must travel to the UK on your British or Irish passport. According to the UK government, traveling on a non-British passport as a dual citizen could result in denial of boarding, even though you have the right of abode. British dual nationals without valid British passports will need to apply for a certificate of entitlement before traveling. Beyond entry requirements, the Canadian government advises exercising a high degree of caution in the United Kingdom due to the threat of terrorism. Potential targets include government buildings, places of worship, airports, transportation hubs, and public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, shopping centers, and hotels. The U.S. State Department similarly maintains a Level 2 advisory for the UK, recommending increased caution due to terrorism threats. When traveling within the UK, security experts recommend keeping belongings secure at all times, avoiding signs of affluence, staying alert in crowded areas and tourist destinations, and being particularly vigilant after dark in urban areas. The UK is also subject to severe weather, including storms with high winds, fog, and snow that can cause transportation disruptions. For those planning travel elsewhere from the UK, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office maintains a regularly updated list of destinations where travel is not advised. As of December 2025, the UK government advises against all travel to Afghanistan, Haiti, Russia, and Belarus, and against travel to certain parts of Thailand, Armenia, Turkey, and India. Travelers should check this list before booking, as travel insurance will not be available for destinations on the no-travel advisory. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.