Four rugby players held in Bristol due to invalid ETA tied to passports

According to reports, the quartet lacked a valid ETA for their updated passports. The British government’s stance leaves no room for doubt: an ETA is attached to a specific passport, and if that passport changes—regardless of the reason— a new ETA must be obtained.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Romain Gardrat, Matis Perchaud and Toma Taufa, along with one team physiotherapist, were unable to enter the United Kingdom upon arrival at Bristol because their Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) was invalid. A source familiar with the case explained that the players renewed their passports earlier this year but failed to update their ETA, which was still tied to the old document. The authorities initially refused to compromise on the rule.

Non L'Equipe, un ETA n'est pas un visa...

The group was eventually asked to leave the airport around 9 p.m. local time and moved to the team’s hotel near Gloucester, roughly an hour’s drive away. The press did not clarify how the issue was resolved, and there are no grounds to suggest this was an exception open to other travelers.

An ETA follows the passport, not the person

The official government guidance page provides the rule succinctly: an ETA lasts for two years, but is linked to the passport used when applying, not the individual. Therefore, if that passport has expired or changed, a new ETA must be obtained.

The guidance further states that the ETA’s two-year validity does not shield it from the passport expiration risk. In fact, the ETA expires either after two years or at the passport’s actual expiry date, whichever occurs first. An ETA acquired in 2025 could still technically be valid until 2027, yet become useless the moment it is replaced—whether due to expiration, loss or other reasons.

During travel, the only document to present is that passport. The ETA remains electronically linked, so the error is invisible until one checks the online confirmation. A rejected ETA or one needing updates also requires a new application.

Who needs an ETA?

As outlined in our guide, an ETA is required for short stays by citizens of countries that normally do not need a visa.

The updated official list as of April 9, 2026, includes Germany, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, France, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and Switzerland. Other nationalities must verify whether their own situation requires a regular visa instead.

Since April 9, 2026, a valid ETA also covers visits to Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Each traveler must apply for their own ETA, including infants and children. Applications can be submitted on behalf of someone else. Transit passengers are also required to have an ETA if they pass through British border control before continuing their journey.

Notably exempt are UK and Irish citizens, current visa holders and people with indefinite leave to remain, work or study rights in the United Kingdom. A dual national of the UK or Ireland cannot obtain an ETA for their travel and must furnish proof of citizenship at border checkpoints.

ETA cost, processing times and restrictions

The application is completed online or via the UK ETA mobile app, using the travel document number, an email address, a UK debit or credit card or mobile payment, and a photo of the applicant’s face. It costs £20 when applying, with no refunds possible, regardless of the outcome. Using a passport in a different name may trigger a refusal if the details on the ETA and passport do not match.

Processing times are typically within one day, reaching three working days if requesting outside standard hours. The government advises travelers to check their junk folder before contacting UK immigration services if no confirmation email is received within the period, which includes a 16-digit reference number. Once approved, the ETA allows unlimited entries for stays of up to six months within its validity period, though it does not guarantee entry at the border. Official government guidance reiterates this distinction, affirming that an ETA is a travel authorisation, not an entry right.