Starting February 25, 2026, all Canadian travellers will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorization (eTA) before visiting the United Kingdom. Anyone attempting to travel without an approved eTA may be denied boarding.
The eTA is a digital travel permit, not a visa, that allows Canadian passport holders to stay in the U.K. for up to six months at a time. Applications cost £16 (approximately $30 CAD) and can be submitted online through the official U.K. government website or via the U.K. eTA mobile app. Authorities strongly warn travellers to use only official channels to avoid scams and fraudulent websites.
Most applications are processed automatically and approved within minutes, though travellers are advised to allow up to three business days to ensure smooth processing. Once granted, the eTA is valid for multiple visits over a two-year period or until the passport expires.
British Migration and Citizenship Minister Mike Tapp said the new system will make travelling easier for visitors. “Digitizing the immigration process ensures a seamless experience for the millions of people we welcome to the U.K. each year,” he said. However, the government emphasizes that having an eTA does not guarantee entry, as final approval is always at the discretion of border officials.
The eTA requirement does not apply to Canadians who also hold British citizenship. Dual citizens must carry a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement to enter the U.K. without issues. Air travellers simply transiting through the U.K. without passing through customs are also exempt from the eTA.
While Canadian passport holders can still visit the U.K. for short stays without a tourist visa, separate visas are required for business, study, or work purposes. This move aligns the U.K.’s entry requirements with other international systems, such as the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will require Canadian travellers to Europe to obtain travel authorization before entering the region.
Rising temperatures and habitat loss threaten plant species worldwide, impacting ecosystems and huma
Many Haiti football fans say high costs and US travel restrictions are stopping them from attending
Around 40,000 residents in Southern California were ordered to evacuate after a dangerous chemical t
Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed the Indian government removed the group’s websi
