U.Ok. to start out implementing new journey allow guidelines for Canadian guests – National

Canadians won’t be able to legally enter the United Kingdom with no journey allow beginning subsequent February, or face being denied boarding.

The British authorities says Canadian travellers might want to apply and pay for an digital journey authorization (eTA) to go to the European nation as of Feb. 25, 2026.

These eTA obligations for Canadians initially got here into place earlier this yr, however the U.Ok. authorities says the foundations weren’t “strictly enforced, to give visitors ample time to adjust to the new requirement.”

ETAs will not be journey visas, however are for passport holders who don’t want a U.Ok. journey visa. The eTAs will permit guests to journey to the U.Ok. on a short-term foundation for as much as six months.

These digital permissions prices £16 (roughly $30 CAD), and Canadians can apply online or by way of the U.K. eTA app. Travel specialists have informed Global News that Canadians ought to apply for an eTA by way of an official authorities web site to keep away from on-line scams.

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“ETAs are also better for travellers. Digitizing the immigration system ensures the millions of people we welcome to the U.K. every year enjoy a more seamless travel experience,” British Migration and Citizenship Minister Mike Tapp mentioned in an announcement.

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While the federal government says most individuals get a call “automatically in minutes,” they suggest candidates permit three enterprise days for eTA functions to be processed. But as soon as an eTA is accredited, travellers can go to the U.Ok. as many instances they need inside two years or till a passport expires.

Despite all of this, the U.Ok. authorities nonetheless warns that an “eTA does not guarantee entry.”

Other international locations, together with Canada, the U.S., and the E.U., have related digital journey authorization schemes of their very own in place.

However, these eTA guidelines don’t apply for Canadians with twin British citizenship. The U.Ok. authorities says Canadian-British twin residents will probably be required to have a present British passport or a “certificate of entitlement” to keep away from entry issues.

Given these necessities, the British High Commission in Canada recommends twin residents with expired U.Ok. passports renew their journey paperwork as quickly as they’ll.

Air travellers with layovers within the U.Ok., who don’t go by way of customs, will even not have to use for an eTA.

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Canadian passport holders don’t want a vacationer visa for stays as much as six months within the U.Ok., however a enterprise visa or work allow or a scholar visa is required.

The U.Ok. scheme is much like the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is anticipated to launch a while late subsequent yr.

Under the ETIAS, Canadian passport holders and different visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries for as much as 90 days have to use for a allow.

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