UK Edges Toward Higher ETA Fee
Planning a trip to the UK? Tea, castles, rainy weather and… a small online permission slip.
Yes, we’re talking about the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) - the digital green light many travellers now need before boarding a flight to the United Kingdom. And while the ETA currently costs £16, the UK government has just taken the first official step toward possibly raising that fee.
Don’t panic just yet though. Your wallet is safe… for now.
The Possible Price Bump
On March 3, 2026, the UK’s House of Lords reviewed and approved a regulatory order that allows the government to increase the maximum legal fee for the ETA from £16 to £20.
Important detail: this doesn’t automatically raise the price tomorrow.
Instead, it simply gives the government the legal room to increase the fee later if it chooses to. Think of it as adjusting the thermostat before deciding whether to turn the heating on.
For the moment, travellers are still paying £16.
Need more information about traveling to the UK?
Why the UK Wants to Charge a Bit More
According to officials, the idea is to keep the UK’s travel authorisation fee roughly in line with similar systems around the world.
During the parliamentary discussion, Home Office minister Lord Hanson of Flint pointed out that a £20 ETA would be comparable to the US travel authorisation system and the upcoming European one.
And in fairness, he argued that the slightly higher fee probably won’t scare anyone away.
After all, if someone is planning a trip to see London, explore the Giant’s Causeway, or hike through the Mourne Mountains, an extra few pounds isn’t likely to derail the whole adventure.
Especially once you’ve seen the price of a London hotel room.
What the ETA Fee Actually Pays For
The government also says these fees help support the wider immigration and border system.
While part of the money covers the cost of processing ETA applications, any extra revenue contributes to maintaining immigration infrastructure and border control services.
In other words, travellers help fund the system that checks travellers.
It’s a bit like paying an entrance fee to a very organised queue.
Meanwhile… Two Countries Lose the ETA Option
Alongside the fee discussion, the UK government also announced a policy change that affects travellers from two countries.
Citizens of Nicaragua and Saint Lucia will soon no longer be able to travel to the UK using an ETA.
Instead, they will need to apply for a visitor visa before travelling.
A Short Grace Period for Travellers
To avoid throwing existing travel plans into chaos, the UK has introduced a six-week transition period.
Travellers from Nicaragua and Saint Lucia can still enter the UK without a visa until April 16th, 2026, provided they:
- already hold a valid ETA
- booked their trip before the new rules were announced
However, new ETA applications from those countries have already been closed.
After the deadline, travellers will need to go through the standard visitor visa process before boarding a flight.
The Bottom Line for Travellers
For most visitors, nothing changes immediately.
- The ETA still costs £16
- The system is now fully rolled out for visa-free travellers
- A potential price increase to £20 may come later
So if you’re planning a UK trip soon, just remember one simple step before boarding your flight: apply for your ETA first.
Because while British weather can be unpredictable… British paperwork is very much not optional.
