The UK’s immigration landscape has just reached a definitive milestone. As of 25 February 2026, the Home Office has moved to full enforcement of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme.
While much of the focus has been on visitors, these changes carry significant weight for dual British nationals and employers managing international workforces.
Here is what you need to know to ensure your trips, and that of your employees’, remain uninterrupted.
The ETA: No Permission, No Travel
The ETA is a mandatory digital requirement for all non-visa nationals (including those from the EU, US, Canada, and Australia) visiting the UK for up to six months or travelling through the country.
- The Cost: £16 per applicant.
- The Validity: Two years, or until the linked passport expires.
- The Enforcement: Carriers (airlines, rail, and ferry operators) are now legally required to verify this digital permission before boarding. If the system doesn't show an ETA or a valid visa, boarding will be denied.
What is changing for dual British nationals?
Perhaps the most significant update concerns British citizens who hold a second nationality. Historically, many dual nationals travelled to the UK using their non-British passport.
Under the new digital regime, this is no longer a viable option. Because British citizens are ineligible for an ETA, a dual national presenting only a foreign passport will appear in the carrier's system as having no permission to travel.
To ensure entry, dual nationals must now present:
- A valid British passport; OR
- A valid Irish passport; OR
- A Certificate of Entitlement (CoE) to the Right of Abode, digitally linked to their foreign passport.
Effective from 26 February 2026, the Home Office has digitised the Certificate of Entitlement.
This is a welcome move, meaning the certificate is now linked to your digital record rather than being a physical sticker that expires with your passport. If your application was approved before 26 February, you will get a paper certificate of entitlement sticker, stuck in your passport, and after 26 February you will also receive a digital certificate.
Advice for Frequent Travellers
If you or your team members fall into the dual-national category, relying on a foreign passport for UK entry is now a high-risk strategy.
- Check your documents: Ensure you hold a valid British passport.
- Apply early: Passport processing times can fluctuate; do not wait until a week before travel to renew. At present standard renewals can take 3 weeks to be processed unless you apply for the expedited services if you are eligible.
The UK Border is now digital by default
Whether you are a visitor requiring an ETA or a citizen returning home, the days of relying on physical "assumptions" of status at the gate are over.
Following the 25 February, 2026 update, the Home Office has stopped issuing vignette stickers for the vast majority of visa categories, including visit visas.
Here is exactly what is happening to them:
New Applicants: No More Stickers
If you apply for a UK visa today, you will likely not receive a vignette. Instead, you will be granted an eVisa as digital record of your status.
- The Process: You still attend your appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide biometrics, but you now keep your passport rather than leaving it there for a sticker to be applied.
- Travel: Your permission is linked digitally to your passport number. When you check in for a flight, the airline's system queries the Home Office database and confirms your "permission to travel" instantly.
Existing Vignettes: The "Sunset" Phase
If you already have a valid vignette in your passport (issued before the recent 2026 cut-off), it remains valid for entry until it expires. However, the Home Office is urging all holders to digitise their status.
You are encouraged to create a UKVI account and link your physical vignette to a digital record.
The Risk
Carriers are increasingly relying on digital verification. If your physical sticker isn't mirrored by a digital record in their system, you may face significant delays or manual checks at the boarding gate.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) "Stamps"
If you have an old "wet ink" stamp or a vignette in an expired passport proving your right to live in the UK permanently, you must apply for a "No Time Limit" (NTL) application.
Speak to our immigration solicitors
Is your team ready for the new border requirements?
If you have questions about how these changes including how they will impact your corporate travel policy or your personal status, our business immigration team can provide you with comprehensive support and strategic advice.
