The UK will begin enforcing new travel permit rules for Canadian visitors – nationally
Canadians will not be able to legally enter the United Kingdom without a travel permit starting next February, or face being denied boarding.
The British government says Canadian travelers will need to apply for and pay for an electronic travel authorization (ETA) to visit the European country starting February 25, 2026.
These ETA obligations for Canadians initially began to go into effect this year, but the UK government says the rules were not applied “strictly, to give visitors enough time to adapt to the new requirement.”
ETAS are not travel visas, but passport holders who do not need a UK visitor visa. ETAS will allow visitors to the UK for a short stay of up to six months.
These digital permits cost £16 (about $30 CAD), and Canadians can apply online or through the UK ETA app. Travel experts have told world news that Canadians should apply for an ETA through the official government website to avoid online scams.
“ETAS is also better for travellers. The Immigration Digitizing System ensures the millions of people we welcome into the UK.
While the government says most people receive a decision “automatically within minutes,” they recommend applicants allow three business days for ETA applications to be processed. But if an ETA is approved, travelers can visit the UK as often as they want within two years or until the passport expires.
Despite all this, the UK government still warns that “ETA does not guarantee entry.”
Other countries, including Canada, the US, and the EU, have similar electronic licensing systems of their own.
Different Laws for Dual Citizens
However, these ETA rules do not apply to Canadians with dual British citizenship. The UK government says Canadian-British dual citizens will be required to have a current British passport or “certificate of privilege” to avoid entry problems.
Given these requirements, the British high commission in Canada is recommending that dual citizens with expired UK passports turn in their documents when they can.
Travelers with flights to the UK, who do not go through customs, will also not have to apply for an ETA.
Canadian passport holders do not need a tourist visa to stay in the UK for six months, but a business visa or work permit or student visa is required.
The UK system is similar to the European travel information system (ETIAS), which is expected to start sometime next year.
Under Etias holders, holders of Canadian passports and other visa-experts traveling to any of these 30 European countries for up to 90 days must apply for a permit.
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