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‘No permission, no travel’: UK to enforce new digital travel permit rules from February 2026
From February 2026, airlines must verify digital permissions for visitors from 85 visa-exempt countries, with over 13 million ETAs issued since system launch in October 2023.
- Next year the UK will require travellers from 85 countries to hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation or eVisa before boarding, with no permission meaning no travel.
- As part of its digitisation drive, the UK government says the policy will modernise processes, strengthen pre-travel security, and support a fully digital immigration system and contactless UK border.
- Apply via the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK website; most decisions are instant but travellers should allow three working days, and the £16 fee applies when using the app.
- Airlines and other carriers will be legally required to verify digital travel permission, while dual nationals and non‑British family members of UK expats may face boarding denial if using the wrong passport.
- Since launch, more than 13.3 million ETAs have been issued, and the scheme mirrors systems used by the United States and Canada, moving toward a contactless UK border.
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Total News Sources30
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution73% Center
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources are Center
73% Center
L 20%
C 73%
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