Do Canadians Need a Visa or ETA for the UK in 2026?
If you are a Canadian planning a trip to London, Edinburgh or anywhere else in the United Kingdom in 2026, the rules have changed from what many travellers remember. You still do not need a traditional visa for a short visit, but you now need to apply and pay for a digital travel permit before you fly. Here is exactly what is required, what it costs, and how to get it.
Do Canadians need a UK visa in 2026?
No. Canadian passport holders remain visa-exempt for short visits to the UK, such as tourism, visiting family, business meetings and short-term study. For those purposes you do not apply for a visitor visa.
However, "visa-free" no longer means "just show up." Since 8 January 2025, Canadians have been required to hold a valid UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel. Canadians could begin applying from 27 November 2024, and the requirement is now fully in force. Without an approved ETA, an airline, ferry operator or Eurostar can refuse to let you board.
If your trip is different — for example you plan to work, or to stay longer than six months — you would need an actual UK visa instead of an ETA. This article covers the standard short-visit scenario that applies to most Canadian travellers.
What is a UK ETA?
An ETA is a digital pre-authorisation that is electronically linked to your passport. It is broadly similar in concept to Canada's own eTA for visa-exempt air travellers and to the US ESTA. It is not a visa and it does not guarantee entry — a Border Force officer at the UK frontier still makes the final decision on admission.
According to the UK Home Office, an approved ETA lets you travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for stays of up to 6 months at a time. It is worth checking whether children need one too: yes — every traveller needs their own ETA, including infants.
How much does the UK ETA cost in 2026?
The current fee is £20 per person. This was confirmed on the official GOV.UK ETA page.
The price has risen twice since the scheme launched:
- £10 at launch
- £16 from 9 April 2025
- £20 from 8 April 2026
At mid-2026 exchange rates, £20 is roughly C$33 to C$37, though the figure moves with the pound. The fee is non-refundable, and you pay it whether or not your application is approved. Because one ETA covers you for two years, applying once effectively spreads that cost across multiple trips.
How to apply for a UK ETA
Apply through official UK government channels only:
- The "UK ETA" app (available for iOS and Android), which is the fastest route, or
- The official GOV.UK ETA page.
You will need:
- A valid passport (the ETA links to that specific passport)
- A digital photo of yourself and, usually, a photo of the passport page
- A credit or debit card to pay the £20 fee
- An email address for the confirmation
The application asks straightforward biographical questions. Most people are approved quickly, often within minutes, but the Home Office advises allowing up to three working days, so do not leave it to the airport departure gate. You get the decision by email; the ETA is stored digitally against your passport, so there is nothing to print, though keeping the confirmation email handy is sensible.
Watch out for copycat websites. Many third-party sites advertise "UK ETA application" services and charge a markup on top of the government fee. They are not the official service. Applying directly via GOV.UK or the UK ETA app means you pay only the £20 charged by the UK government.
How long is the UK ETA valid?
An approved ETA is valid for two years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. During that window it allows multiple trips, each for a stay of up to six months.
If you get a new passport, you must apply for a new ETA, because the authorisation is tied to the passport you applied with. If your ETA expires or your passport is renewed before your next trip, apply again before you travel.
Quick summary for Canadian travellers
- Visa: Not required for standard short visits.
- ETA: Required before travel since 8 January 2025.
- Fee: £20 per person (all ages), non-refundable.
- Validity: Two years or until passport expiry; multiple visits of up to six months each.
- Where to apply: The UK ETA app or gov.uk/eta — never a third-party reseller.
Requirements and fees for schemes like this are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current fee and rules on GOV.UK shortly before you book and again before you travel. For the official policy detail, see the UK Home Office's ETA factsheet.
IRCC.com is an independent news and information website. We are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the Government of Canada, and we do not provide immigration services or legal advice. Entry requirements change — always verify with official sources before you travel.