UK immigration: key changes taking effect in February 2026

UK immigration changes in February 2026 will introduce digital status checks, Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) enforcement and new requirements for British dual nationals.

eVisas replace physical vignettes

From 25 February 2026, as part of the Home Office’s continued initiative to fully digitise the UK immigration system, eVisas will replace physical vignettes for the majority of successful applicants for visit visas to the UK.

Those with an approved visit visa will need to create a UKVI account, which will then be linked to their eVisa before travelling to the UK. They will then be able to view their eVisa and prove their permission to enter the UK by signing in to their UKVI account.

The Home Office has stated that by the end of 2026, all successful visa applicants from outside the UK will be issued with an eVisa.

For more information on eVisas and UKVI accounts, see Gherson’s previous blog: Navigating the UK’s digital-only immigration system with Gherson.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

From 25 February 2026, all non-visa nationals, including citizens from the EU, EEA, Switzerland, USA, Canada and Australia, will be required to obtain an ETA in order to visit the UK for short stays of up to 6 months. This requirement means that all travellers entering the UK will be subject to digital status checks.

Airlines and other transport providers will be checking that travellers hold valid ETAs. Those who do not possess a valid ETA will not be permitted to board their transport to travel to the UK. Travellers should note that an ETA is a permission to travel to the UK but it does not guarantee entry – permission to grant entry will ultimately be decided at the UK border.

The ETA costs £16 and is valid for multiple travels (for 6 months or less) over a two-year period, or until the passport has expired. Travellers can apply for an ETA on the UK ETA app, or online. For more information on the ETA and how to apply, see Gherson’s previous blog: UK border control modernisation: Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from February 2026.

Impact on British dual nationals

As of 25 February 2026, British dual nationals will be required to travel to the UK on their British or Irish passports, or with a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode (CoE) paired with a valid passport of their other nationality. Failure to present a valid British or Irish passport, or a CoE, may result in delays at the UK border, where the border officer will conduct further checks to verify the traveller’s British nationality, and entry will not be permitted until their British nationality is verified. Individuals without a valid British or Irish passport, or CoE, may encounter difficulties in boarding their transport to the UK.

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.

©Gherson 2026