UK ETA scheme fully enforced: risks for businesses hosting international visitors

Since 25 February 2026, the rules governing who can board a flight to the United Kingdom have changed fundamentally. For businesses that regularly host international visitors (e.g. contractors/partners) to attend meetings and conferences and to carry out site visits, this marks a significant shift in how short-term travel to the UK is managed. There are clear operational and legal risks connected with this and companies should act now to update their HR and travel policies and brief those whom they are hosting. This is now an organisational responsibility rather than simply a concern for individual travellers.

What has changed and who is affected?

The UK Government has fully activated its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which is a digital pre-travel authorisation required for visitors from visa-exempt countries. This is linked electronically to a traveller’s passport. This covers nationals from 85 countries who do not ordinarily require a visa to enter the UK, which includes nationals from the EU, Switzerland, the United States, and many other nationals who could previously travel to the UK with minimal formalities. From 25 February 2026, these individuals must obtain a valid ETA before they travel. Airlines are now legally required to verify ETA status and will deny boarding to anyone who cannot demonstrate they hold a valid digital permission. This applies even for a single-day business meeting, a short conference or an informal site visit. There is no exception for those who arrive at the airport intending to apply on the spot. Most applications are processed within minutes, but the Home Office advises applicants to apply at least three working days before travel to allow for any delays.

The ETA has been introduced to enhance security and control at the border and authorities are able to collect and store data more efficiently to streamline the immigration system.

Under the new rules:

• Travellers must apply online before departure;
• The ETA costs £16 and is typically valid for two years;
• Airlines will check for a valid ETA before boarding; and
• Without it, passengers will be denied travel.

How can business visitors apply for an ETA?

This is a simple and efficient process which visitors should be able to complete with ease.

Applicants must fill out an online form via the official Government portal or UK ETA app: https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply.

Via this form, travellers provide their personal and passport details. They will also be prompted to answer questions about their trip to the UK, their immigration and criminal history and, lastly, to pay the application fee.

What are the risks for businesses hosting international visitors?

Businesses face a range of potential risks:

• Travel/operational disruption: Conferences, board meetings, site visits and client presentations may be cancelled or significantly delayed at short notice due to a last-minute ETA failure;
• Sponsorship compliance: Businesses that hold a Home Office sponsor licence and employ overseas workers must demonstrate that they are actively managing immigration compliance. Failing to do so can put a sponsor licence at risk, with serious consequences for all sponsored employees;
• Reputational damage: A visiting client or senior partner turned away at the departure gate reflects poorly on the host organisation, regardless of where the administrative failure occurred;
• Financial cost: Missed flights, rebooking fees, postponed projects and wasted preparation time all carry a direct financial cost.

What should your organisation do now?

The following steps should be taken as a matter of priority:

• Brief HR and operations teams on ETA requirements so that compliance checks are embedded into standard pre-travel processes;
• Contact upcoming international visitors proactively to confirm their ETA status before travel is booked or flights are purchased;
• Build sufficient lead time into all international travel and event planning, at a minimum of three working days for ETA applications, and longer where visa-national guests need to activate eVisa accounts; and
• Clarify your travel policy to stress that British dual nationals should always travel on their British passport to avoid any check-in complications.

The bottom line

The UK’s “No Permission, No Travel” policy is now fully in force. For businesses that regularly welcome international visitors, the question is whether they are prepared. The ETA itself is inexpensive and straightforward to obtain. The cost of failing to ensure your visitors have one is considerably higher.

If you need advice on updating your travel or immigration compliance policies, or if you have concerns about your organisation’s sponsor licence obligations in light of these changes, our immigration team is here to help.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on all UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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