UK's New Digital Travel Authorization System Requires App Store Accounts for Visitors
By
rhazn
Sesame, salt, and substance. A flagship bake.
Summary
The article discusses new UK immigration rules starting February 2026 that will require citizens from 85 additional countries (including the USA and European nations) to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for tourism visits. While the application can be done digitally, the UK government strongly prefers applicants use their official mobile app, which requires having a Google Play or Apple App Store account. This creates accessibility issues for travelers without smartphones or app store accounts, potentially excluding certain demographics from visiting the UK.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledstarting February 2026, new immigration rules for the UK are being enforced
Citizens of 85 additional countries (including the USA and European countries) will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit, even for tourism
the government very much would prefer you to do so using the official app
How Many Hoops Are We Going to Jump Through?
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