How to Visit UK Without Visa in 2026: The UK government said qualified visa-exempt tourists need an ETA or other valid travel authority to enter the country.
It costs £20 and lets you make repeated trips to the UK for up to two years but your permission does not ensure you access at the border.
Nigerian passport holders require a complete visitor visa (not an ETA) and the government has recommended against utilising third-party application services.
London, United Kingdom – The UK government has stated that foreign nationals who can enter the United Kingdom (UK) without a visa may still need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) ahead of travel.
, which was introduced for qualified visa-exempt passengers on February 25, 2026, was recently highlighted in a post on the official GOV.UK channel on X (previously Twitter), says. The administration described how the digital permit will function and who it will be for.
What Does the UK ETA Cover?
An authorised ETA allows eligible tourists to visit the UK for up to six months at a time for tourism and other permitted activities. The authorisation costs £20 and is valid for two years from the date of approval or until the passport of the holder expires, whichever is the sooner. Travellers can make repeated entries to the UK during this period of validity, provided they meet the entry conditions each time.
Applicants can apply through the official UK ETA app or via the government’s website. The government has cautioned visitors against using third-party websites that often charge extra fees to process an application that may be submitted free of charge through official procedures.
Who Needs an ETA and Who Doesn’t?
ETA is for nationals of nations that don’t need a visa to enter the UK. It does not apply to British or Irish citizens or people who are exempt under separate rules.
“Please be advised that this route is not open to Nigerian passport holders. Nigerian nationals normally require a basic UK visiting visa (not an ETA). Before planning any journey, the government urges all tourists to utilise its official visa-checking tool to find out which authorisation pertains to their nationality.
Also a granted ETA is not a guarantee of entrance. Border officers will still check that a tourist fits all the immigration rules when they arrive in the UK. The ETA simply permits an individual to travel to the country. The ultimate decision on entrance is made by border officials at the point of arrival.