Published On 5/2/2026
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Last update: 22:22 (Mecca time)
The United Kingdom intends to tighten entry procedures for travelers from February 25, with all arrivals to the country being required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), with stricter controls on entry movement coming into effect.
From this date, airlines and other international transport, including Eurostar trains, will conduct careful checks before departure to ensure that passengers meet all conditions required for entry into Britain. British officials confirmed that any traveler who cannot present a valid ETA will be prevented from boarding transport bound for the United Kingdom.
The electronic travel permit has been mandatory since April 2025 for people who intend to travel to the United Kingdom without the need for a visa, but the implementation of this procedure in its early stages was characterized by a degree of flexibility, with the aim of giving visitors sufficient time to adapt to the new system. However, this more lenient transitional phase will be canceled later this month, and strict implementation of the decision will begin.
Apply for the permit in advance
The easiest way to obtain an ETA permit is to apply through the dedicated UK ETA application. Applicants can also use a web browser, although this method requires going through a greater number of steps.
The permit fee currently amounts to 16 British pounds (about 18 US dollars), and the British authorities recommend submitting the application at least three days before the travel date, in anticipation of the possible need for additional checks or procedures. However, most applicants receive an automated approval decision within just a few minutes of submitting their application.
Once issued, the eTA allows the holder to enter the UK multiple times and stay for up to six months on each visit, within a validity period of two years. The passport included in the permit application is required to be valid throughout the validity period of the ETA.
The British Visas and Immigration Authority warned against resorting to websites that impose additional fees for submission, stressing that some of these websites mimic official government services, which may lead to paying amounts far exceeding the official fee set at 16 pounds sterling.
Transit requirements through British airports
The British authorities explained that passengers passing through UK airports on transit flights may also be required to obtain an ETA permit. The British Foreign Office stated that the permit is only required in cases where the traveler does not leave the transit area inside the airport and does not pass through border control points.
In cases that require re-registering luggage or leaving the transit area, the traveler will have to pass through British border control, which means a valid ETA permit is required.
The authorities advised travelers to contact the airline before traveling in the event of any confusion regarding transit requirements or the need to pass through border procedures during temporary stops at UK airports.
