From 25 February 2026, the UK Home Office will enforce Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements. Carriers must not board ETA eligible passengers who have not obtained one. Except for British and Irish citizens, all travellers—including children—must hold a valid permission to travel before departure, shown through an ETA, eVisa, physical visa document, or exemption. Travellers and operators can verify the status using Check your ETA or, for eVisa holders, by ensuring their passport is correctly linked in their UKVI account.

British/Irish Citizens, including those with multiple nationalities, must obtain a British/Irish passport or a Certificate of Entitlement to the right of abode in their other passport.

Meanwhile, the UK will also activate the 0B - No Record of Valid Permission to Travel response for non-visa nationals, alongside the 0T – System Time Out for all nationalities that will come through the National Maritime Single Window (NMSW) or DirectREST. As of 28 January 2026, the Home Office has already introduced the 0B - No Record of Valid Permission to Travel message for visa nationals.

Operators should continue to perform physical checks, including reviewing physical visas and ETAs, ensuring passengers hold a valid permission to travel, before arriving in the UK. If operators are not granted the authority to carry a person, then they may be liable to a financial penalty.

It is reminded that non-visa nationals crew members do not require entry clearance. All crew must carry confirmation that they are joining a vessel at port, and those with a seafarer's identity document (SID) should travel with it. If they are coming to the UK as tourists, then a valid ETA will be needed. Visa national crew must additionally hold appropriate work related permission, such as a Skilled Worker visa, where required.

For more information, please see this partner pack. 

For more information on the UK Chamber's work in the Ferry and Cruise sector, please contact our Policy Manager, Ilias Bafounis.