UK Bans Americans Without ETA From Feb. 25

New UK border rules enforce an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement for Americans and visitors from 85 nationalities starting February 25, 2026. Travelers without this digital permission face denial of boarding and cannot enter the UK, paving the way for a contactless border. The ETA, costing around $22 and valid for two years, links to your passport and processes most applications in minutes via the official GOV.UK site.