Key Takeaways
- The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee will rise from £16 to £20 in the coming weeks
- The ETA is mandatory for visa-exempt nationals from 85 countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and all EU/EEA states
- Carriers must verify every passenger’s ETA or eVisa status before boarding or face civil penalties starting from 25 February 2026
- The fee hike will push the cost of a short business trip to £40, and corporate travel managers must ensure traveller education to avoid missed ETAs
- Companies can use VisaHQ’s corporate portal to streamline ETA requests, track status, and access compliance dashboards
Introduction to the ETA Fee Hike
The Home Office has confirmed that the fee for the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will rise from £16 to £20 in the coming weeks. This change is part of the digital permit’s transition from a soft launch to full enforcement, which is set to take place on 25 February 2026. The ETA is a mandatory requirement for visa-exempt nationals from 85 countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and all EU/EEA states. As the system moves towards full enforcement, airlines, ferry operators, and rail carriers are beginning to conduct final systems testing for ‘no-permission-no-travel’ checks.
What is Changing with the ETA
The ETA was introduced in beta form in 2023, and since then, it has been mandatory for visa-exempt nationals. However, from 25 February, carriers must verify every passenger’s ETA or eVisa status before boarding or face civil penalties. The £4 price rise, which is an inflation-adjusted 25% increase, will apply to new applications only, and existing two-year ETAs will remain valid until expiry. This change will have a significant impact on corporate travel managers, who will need to ensure that their travellers are aware of the new requirements and have the necessary ETA or eVisa status before embarking on their journey.
Why the ETA Fee Hike Matters
The fee hike, although modest, will have a significant impact on the cost of business travel. For companies with high-frequency visitors, the cost of a short business trip will increase to £40, and annual mobility budgets will need to be revised. Corporate travel managers will also need to ensure that their travellers are educated about the new requirements, as a missed ETA will now result in passengers being stranded at the gate rather than merely delaying entry processing on arrival. To streamline the process, companies can use VisaHQ’s corporate portal, which allows travel managers to submit and track ETA requests in bulk, receive real-time status alerts, and access compliance dashboards, reducing administrative overhead and minimising the risk of last-minute travel disruptions.
Operational Readiness for the ETA
As the ETA moves towards full enforcement, airlines are updating their departure-control software to poll the Home Office’s ‘Status Check’ API in real-time. HR and global mobility teams should capture ETA numbers in pre-trip approval tools, build three-day lead-time guidance into travel policies, and issue emergency escalation contacts for last-minute denials. This will ensure that travellers are aware of the requirements and can plan their trips accordingly. Companies should also audit their travel-data flows to avoid costly day-one failures and ensure that they are compliant with the new regulations.
Broader Trend Towards Pre-Travel Risk-Screening
The UK’s shift towards pre-travel risk-screening mirrors Canada’s eTA and the upcoming EU-wide ETIAS, signalling a global pivot towards this approach. The government argues that the higher fee reflects expanded security vetting and system maintenance costs, while critics say it is a stealth tax on visitors that could deter conference and leisure demand. Failure to comply with the new regulations will carry commercial consequences, including fines and loss of ‘Approved Carrier’ status for carriers, and holiday disruption and missed client meetings for travellers. As such, companies should take immediate action to ensure that they are compliant with the new regulations and that their travellers are aware of the requirements.
