Coming this month, Canadians and nonresidents alike that are either visiting or transiting through the U.K. will have to hold an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), as it will become illegal to travel without it.
ETA And Canadians
An ETA is essentially a piece of digital, advance travel permission. It is meant to provide “faster, smoother travel”, and is called “a fundamental part of travel” by the U.K. government. It allows visitors to travel to the U.K. for tourism, visiting family, and other reasons for up to 6 months.
The ETA was first introduced in October 2023 and was made available to Canadians, as well as residents of the U.S., Australia, and a number of other countries that generally require an ETA rather than a visa when visiting the U.K. A total of 85 countries are on the ETA-required list.
While it was not strictly enforced throughout 2025, the U.K. will now be making it mandatory for travellers as of February 25, 2026. This means that it will be illegal to enter the U.K. without an ETA.
Who Does And Does Not Need An ETA?
As for those who need an ETA, the U.K. government provides a full list of visa-exempt countries that must instead use the ETA form. There are certain travellers who do not require it, though. According to the Government of Canada, this includes those who are:
- Transiting through an airport in the U.K. without passing border control
- A dual national travelling on your British, Irish, or British overseas territories citizen passport
- A holder of a visa or have permission to live, work, or study in the U.K.
- A resident in Ireland and are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man
It costs £16 to apply for an ETA, and can be applied for directly through the official UK ETA app. Most people get a decision automatically within minutes, although it is recommended to allow up to 3 working days “to account for the small number of cases that require additional review.”
For more details on the ETA and Canadians’ requirements, check here.
