The cost of the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has leapt from £16 to £20 with effect from 8 April 2026—the first increase since the digital permission launched 18 months ago. The Home Office confirmed the change in an updated factsheet and fee table published overnight and carriers were instructed to apply the higher charge from 00:01 BST.

For travellers looking to simplify the ETA process, visa specialists VisaHQ can handle the application end-to-end, double-checking that passport data is entered correctly and that the newest £20 fee is paid to avoid airport surprises. Their UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) offers live status tracking and secure document upload, making it easier for both leisure visitors and corporate travel managers to keep on top of the new rules.

Although £4 may sound minor, the rise adds £16 to the bill for a family of four and comes on top of wider visa-fee inflation. Travellers from 85 visa-exempt countries—including the United States, Canada and all EU states—must now hold an ETA before boarding transport to the UK, even for connecting flights that require clearing passport control. Indian nationals, who already need a visitor visa, will in most cases also have to obtain an ETA once the visitor-visa application is approved, adding a second layer of cost and admin. The Home Office argues that the higher price reflects “upgraded cyber-security and system maintenance”. Airlines, however, note that Canada’s eTA still costs CA$7 and the US ESTA US$21, making the UK the most expensive major ETA scheme. Travel industry bodies fear the perception of “nickel-and-diming” visitors risks suppressing short city-break demand—particularly from price-sensitive markets such as Spain and Poland. For corporate mobility teams the message is clear: ensure travellers pay the correct fee (old £16 receipts will now be rejected at airline check-in) and check that the passport details in the ETA exactly match the document carried. Mismatches triggered more than 12,000 denied boardings last quarter, according to Border Force statistics.