Air, rail and sea carriers may be charged £2,000 for each passenger who arrives in the UK without a required electronic travel authorisation (ETA), visa or permission to travel, under guidance updated 22 October 2026.
Key facts
- Who: Air, rail and sea carriers; passengers who need a visa, other permission to travel or an ETA to travel to the UK
- From: No in-force date is given in the guidance. The page is marked "Updated 22 October 2026".
- Source: Document checks and charges for carriers
UK Visas and Immigration guidance says the owners, agents or operators of a ship or aircraft may become liable under Section 40 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 for a charge of £2,000 for every passenger arriving in the UK without the required documents (paragraph 1.3). These are:
- a valid "immigration document" that satisfactorily establishes identity and nationality or citizenship; and
- if the person requires a visa, a visa of the required kind or other permission to travel, in physical form or as a digital eVisa, or a valid ETA if the person requires one.
The charge does not apply to British or Irish citizens. It does apply to nationals of the European Economic Area and Switzerland, unless they are protected under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Paragraph 2.4 says a person requires an ETA if the Immigration Rules require one for entry to the UK. The nationalities concerned are listed in Immigration Rules Appendix ETA National List. A carrier "may be liable to a charge if a person requires an ETA but does not hold one". An ETA gives permission to travel, not permission to enter, and a holder must still obtain permission to enter on arrival.
Under paragraph 1.5, carriers are expected to make sure each passenger has a valid, acceptable travel document, is its rightful holder, and holds a visa of the required kind or an ETA if needed. The responsibility for deciding whether to carry a passenger rests with the carrier in every case. Receipt of a 0A (board) message is satisfactory evidence of permission to travel to the UK (paragraphs 2.3 and 2.4).
Paragraphs 4.2 to 4.5 set out how "No ETA" cases are handled:
- Form CLA1 (Initial Notification) will not normally be served on the carrier.
- The Carriers' Liaison Section checks Home Office systems to decide whether potential liability exists, and prioritises service of Form IS80B (Notification of Potential Liability to a Charge) if appropriate.
- A physical document is not required to establish liability. The carrier has the right to be told the results of the digital permission checks on which liability is based.
After receiving Form IS80B, a carrier has 30 days to make representations to the Carriers Liaison Section (paragraph 5.1). A short extension may be approved if the carrier contacts the section promptly and shows reasonable cause.
What this means for applicants
Passengers who need a visa, other permission to travel or an ETA should hold it before travelling. Carriers are expected to check, and may be charged £2,000 if a passenger arrives without it. The guidance leaves the decision on whether to carry a passenger with the carrier. An ETA is permission to travel only; permission to enter is decided on arrival.
Related guide
UK electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme