Canadians must now get an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to be able to enter the United Kingdom.
The U.K. government announced in November that it would begin strictly enforcing the new visa waiver system starting on Feb. 25, 2026. The program allows travellers from countries that don’t require a visa to enter the U.K. and stay for up to six months.
“No permission, no travel,” reads a news release from the government. “From February 2026, visitors will not be able to travel to the U.K. without advance permission.”
According to the U.K. Home Office, the visa waiver system was introduced to improve border security. Applicants must provide their biographic, biometric, and contact details and answer some “suitability questions.”
“ETAs give us greater power to stop those who pose a threat from setting foot in the country and give us a fuller picture of immigration,” stated U.K. Migration and Citizenship Minister Mike Tapp.
The U.K. first launched its ETA in October 2023. According to the government, more than 13.3 million visitors have successfully applied and “benefited from faster, smoother travel.”
“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,” added Tapp.
The government explained that while the ETA was rolling out, it was not strictly enforced to provide tourists the time to adjust to the new requirement.
Who’s required to obtain an ETA?
Lukasz Pajor/Shutterstock
Visitors from 85 countries that don’t need a visa to enter the U.K., including Canada and the United States, are required to get an ETA.
The U.K. government says you’ll need an ETA to do the following:
You don’t need an ETA if you have either:
- A British or Irish passport
- Permission to live, work or study in the U.K.
- A visa to enter the U.K.
The Government of Canada issued a travel advisory earlier this month, notifying Canadians heading to the U.K. that they must apply for an ETA starting on Feb. 25, or they won’t be able to board their flight and cannot legally travel to the U.K.
How do you apply for the U.K. ETA, and how much does it cost?
Mareks Perkons/Shutterstock
Canadians can apply through the U.K. ETA’s app or on its website.
You’ll need to complete your application in one go since you can’t save your progress. The service will time out if you’re inactive for 20 minutes.
To start, upload a photo of the passport you will use to travel to the U.K. You’ll then be asked to scan your face with your device. Children nine and younger won’t be required to do so.
After uploading a photo of yourself, you’ll be asked to answer some questions. You won’t be required to enter your travel details.
According to the U.K. government, most people get a decision within minutes, but it’s recommended to allow three working days in case your application needs additional review.
You’ll receive an email confirming your ETA, which is linked to the passport you used to apply. An ETA is valid for two years.
If you’re travelling as a group, each person must apply separately.
Canadians don’t need an ETA if they already have a visa or already have permission to live, work, or study in the U.K.
Last January, the ETA cost £10 (C$18.60). In April, the U.K. government increased the fee by £6 to £16 (C$29.65). That’s an extra C$11 that Canadians will have to pay to get a chance to catch a play at the Globe Theatre.
The U.K. isn’t the only country that has implemented an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreigners.
The European Union is tripling its fee for the European Travel Information Authorization System (ETIAS) this year.
Canada has had a similar ETA system in place for years, which costs only $7.
The United States also has a similar setup called the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
With files from Irish Mae Silvestre
This story was originally published on Feb. 1, 2026. It has since been updated.
