As of Feb. 25, 2026, Canadian travellers will need to acquire an ETA permit to visit the U.K.
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Next time you’re thinking about heading to the United Kingdom, you may want to pack an extra document or else you’ll be denied entry.
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As of Feb. 25, 2026, Canadian travellers will need to acquire an electronic travel authorization (ETA) permit to visit the U.K., the British government announced recently.
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ETAs actually came into effect for Canadians earlier this year, but the British government said the regulations weren’t strictly enforced to give visitors an adjustment period.
What’s the ETA’s purpose?
The ETA permit is usable for a number of trips within the U.K. over a two-year period, or until your passport expires, as it’s attached to it. Should the passport expire, you’ll need to get a new ETA.
Think of it as a digital permission to travel.
Different from travel visas, ETAs are for current passport holders who do not need a U.K. travel visa. They allow visitors to make short-term visits to the U.K., per Travel and Tour World.
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According to the British government, the ETA is meant to help streamline the digital immigration system and aligns with the approach that many countries have taken to border security.
“ETAs are also better for travellers. Digitizing the immigration system ensures the millions of people we welcome to the U.K. every year enjoy a more seamless travel experience,” British Migration and Citizenship Minister Mike Tapp said in a statement.
Visitors can stay up to six months for reasons such as tourism, familial visits, business or short-term education study. If you’re entering the U.K. to work, with an ETA you can stay up to three months on a Creative Worker visa, which is a temporary work permit, Vancouver Is Awesome reported.
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How much does it cost?
ETAs cost £16 (or about $30 Cdn). Canadian travellers can apply for them online at the U.K. goverment website, or on smartphones via the U.K. ETA app.
Although the U.K. government said most travellers will get approval in several minutes, they highly recommend allowing three business days for applications to be formally processed.
Are you guaranteed entry with ETA?
Even if you have an ETA, the U.K. government warned that it still doesn’t guarantee entry. That’s because other countries, such as Canada, the United States and the European Union, have similar digital travel authorization programs in place, per Global News.
Despite all of this, the U.K. government still warns that an “eTA does not guarantee entry.”
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Other countries, including Canada, the U.S., and the E.U., have similar electronic travel authorization schemes of their own in place.
What about those with dual citizenship?
If you’re a Canadian who also has British citizenship, the ETA rules don’t apply.
The British government says dual citizens will need to have a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement to avoid any problems upon entry.
Anyone with an expired British passport will need to renew it as soon as possible.
Travellers with a layover in the U.K. do not need to apply for an ETA, as you don’t have to pass through customs.
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