Major Travel Update for Those visiting UK after new ETA rule

2026-02-25 - 16:24

ISLAMABAD – Travel landscape to UK just changed as new digital entry system rolls out for visitors from more than eighty nations. Travelers from Pakistan may breathe a relief as they will mostly rely on the e-visa system, but the global travel scene is now more complicated than ever. Under the new rules, tourists seeking UK visas can apply online, but trip to a visa center is still mandatory for biometric verification. The digital age may have arrived, but fingerprints and photos remain part of the process. Once approved, visa holders will no longer carry a physical immigration stamp. Instead, their status will live in a digital record, accessible via a special code presented to border officials. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott confirmed small relief for applicants as passports will stay in their hands, not at the visa office, during processing. It’s a step toward convenience, yet the system remains complex. Meanwhile, a far bigger change is unfolding with introduction of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system. Activated on 25 February 2026, ETA is a digital permission slip for entry into the UK, impacting travelers from 85 countries (though Pakistan is not included). Tourists, business travelers, and short-term students must now secure an ETA before boarding. The permit allows six-month visits and remains valid for two years — or until the passport expires. Multiple trips are allowed, but the rules are strict. However, not everyone is caught in the ETA net. Work migrants, long-term residents, and extended students still need traditional visas. Travelers merely passing through the UK without entering immigration control are exempt. Citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada are also spared the ETA requirement but dual nationals face a different situation. Those holding both UK citizenship and another nationality cannot apply for ETA. Instead, they must present a British passport or an entitlement certificate proving their right to enter. These documents are not automatically issued when citizenship is granted. Many long-term residents have never applied for them, leaving some scrambling to meet the requirements. UK is joining a growing list of countries using digital travel authorizations. Both Canada and the United States already operate similar systems. But costs vary wildly. UK Work Visa Alert: Pakistanis must pass THIS Test to get Visas in 2025