UK Considers Raising ETA Fee to £20 as Two Countries Lose Visa-Free Entry

The United Kingdom may soon raise the price of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), a digital entry permit required for many visa-free travellers.

While the increase is not in effect yet, a recent discussion in Parliament suggests the government is preparing the ground for it.

At the same time, the UK has also moved to tighten entry rules for two countries, removing them from the ETA scheme entirely.

UK Moves Closer to Raising the ETA Fee

On March 3, 2026, the UK House of Lords reviewed a draft rule called the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2026.

The proposal focuses on changing the maximum fees the government is legally allowed to charge for certain immigration services.

One of the key changes involves the UK ETA.

• The current legal cap: £16
• Proposed new cap: £20

It is important to understand what this means.

The vote does not raise the price today. Instead, it allows the government to increase the ETA fee later through a separate regulation.

For now, travellers still pay £16.

Why the UK Wants to Raise the ETA Fee

According to Lord Hanson of Flint, a minister at the UK Home Office, the change would simply bring the UK in line with other travel authorisation systems.

He pointed to two well-known examples:

• The US ESTA is required for visa-free travel to the United States
• The upcoming EU ETIAS, which will apply to visitors entering Europe

The government believes a £20 fee would remain reasonable and unlikely to discourage tourism.

Officials also say the extra revenue helps support the wider immigration system, including border management and application processing.

In other words, travellers using the system contribute to the cost of running it.

ETA System Now Fully Active for Visa-Free Visitors

The discussion about fees comes shortly after the UK completed the full rollout of its ETA system. Since February 25, 2026, most travellers from visa-exempt countries must obtain an ETA before visiting the UK for short stays.

The permit is typically required for:

• Tourism
• Business visits
• Short-term study
• Transit through the UK

The ETA is linked digitally to a traveller’s passport and must be approved before boarding a flight to the UK.

Nicaragua and Saint Lucia Removed from the ETA Scheme

Alongside the fee discussions, the UK government announced a major policy shift. Nationals of Nicaragua and Saint Lucia will soon no longer be able to travel using an ETA.

Instead, they will need to apply for a standard visitor visa before travelling to the UK.

Authorities say the decision follows a rise in asylum claims from both nationalities. Government figures show:

Nicaragua (2022–2025)

• 609 asylum applications
• 505 claims made at the border
• 261 people receiving asylum support by the end of 2025

Saint Lucia (2022–2025)

• 360 asylum applications
• 128 claims made at UK ports
• 222 people are receiving asylum-related assistance

The government says these numbers raised concerns about the misuse of visa-free entry.

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said authorities are ready to tighten rules when necessary to protect border control.

Concerns Over Citizenship-by-Investment Passports

Officials also pointed to citizenship-by-investment programs, especially in Saint Lucia.

These programs allow foreign nationals to obtain citizenship through financial investment.

UK authorities believe the rapid expansion of such schemes may have contributed to some travellers using Saint Lucian passports to enter the UK and later seek asylum or work illegally.

Temporary Transition Period for Affected Travellers

To avoid travel disruption, the UK has introduced a six-week transition period. Nationals of Nicaragua and Saint Lucia can still enter the UK without a visa until April 16, 2026 (3:00 p.m. BST) if they meet two conditions:

• They already hold a valid ETA
• Their travel booking was confirmed before the new rule was introduced

However, there is an important change.

ETA applications for both countries closed on March 5, 2026.

After the transition period ends, travellers from these countries must apply for a visitor visa before departure, including in some cases when transiting through UK airports.

What Travellers Should Expect Next

For now, the ETA fee remains £16, but the recent parliamentary step signals that a £20 charge may come later.

At the same time, the UK is clearly taking a tighter approach to visa-free travel, particularly where officials believe the system is being misused.

For frequent international travellers, this highlights a growing trend. Digital travel permits like ETA, ESTA, and ETIAS are becoming a normal part of crossing borders.

Checking entry rules before booking a trip has never been more important.