24 November 2025
Families planning to visit the UK – and anyone relying on parcel deliveries for Christmas – are being urged to plan ahead as two major developments collide: the UK is formally moving to a strict “no permission, no travel” regime for visitors from 85 countries, and around 2,000 UPS workers are in the middle of a strike ballot that could disrupt festive deliveries across Britain. [1]
UK to Enforce ‘No Permission, No Travel’ from February 2026
The UK government has confirmed that from 25 February 2026, most visa‑exempt visitors will not be allowed to board transport to the UK unless they hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The Home Office set out the change today in a new press release titled “No permission, no travel: UK set to enforce ETA scheme”. [2]
According to the announcement, visitors from 85 nationalities – including the United States, Canada and France – who currently do not need a visa for short stays will need an ETA before they can legally travel to the UK. Carriers such as airlines and ferry operators will be expected to check that passengers have this digital permission before boarding. [3]
This move marks the full enforcement phase of a system that has been slowly rolling out since 2023. The government says more than 13.3 million travellers have already successfully applied for an ETA and benefited from quicker, more streamlined processing at the border. [4]
What is the UK ETA – and who needs it?
Official guidance describes the ETA as a digital permission to travel, not a visa and not a tax. It authorises someone to travel to the UK for short visits (up to six months for tourism, family visits or certain business activities), but it does not guarantee entry – Border Force officers still make the final decision at passport control. [5]
Key details from the latest Home Office factsheet and GOV.UK guidance include: [6]
- Cost: £16 per person
- Validity: Multiple trips over two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first
- Who generally needs it: Most visitors from Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and other visa‑exempt countries who do not already hold UK immigration status
- Who does not:
- British and Irish citizens
- People who already hold permission to live, work or study in the UK
- Some Irish‑resident non‑British/non‑Irish nationals travelling entirely within the Common Travel Area (subject to proof of status)
Each traveller – including babies and children – must hold their own ETA. Applications can be made via the official UK ETA app or on GOV.UK, and the Home Office says most decisions are automated and issued in minutes, though it recommends applying at least three working days before travel in case extra checks are needed. [7]
Sky News’ Money blog has already been highlighting the change for consumers, warning that visitors from countries like the US and France will soon “need advance permission” before travelling – echoing today’s official “no permission, no travel” message. [8]
UPS Workers Ballot for Strike, Putting Christmas Deliveries at Risk
While the UK tightens entry requirements for overseas visitors, domestic logistics are also under pressure. Over 2,000 UPS employees, represented by Unite the union and based across the company’s UK network, are currently balloting for strike action in a dispute over pay and working conditions. [9]
The ballot opened last week and is due to close on 3 December 2025. If workers vote in favour, industrial action could begin from mid‑December, right in the final run‑up to Christmas and into the Boxing Day and January sales period. [10]
Why UPS staff are threatening to walk out
Unite says workers – including delivery drivers and warehouse staff – have rejected UPS’s latest pay offer, which would give 2.8% in the first year and 3.2% in 2026. With the UK’s retail price index (RPI) running at around 4.5%, the union argues this amounts to a real‑terms pay cut. [11]
In its own press release, Unite also criticises the withdrawal of an earlier proposal for a £100 lump‑sum payment to minimum‑wage staff, saying that money has instead been used to fund the 2026 pay pot. Around a quarter of UPS’s UK workforce is estimated to earn around the minimum wage (about £12.21 an hour), leaving many struggling with rising living costs, the union claims. [12]
Beyond pay, Unite alleges: [13]
- Staff departures have not been fully replaced, leading to chronic staff shortages
- Workers face forced overtime and “unreasonable workloads”
- There are concerns about outsourcing and job security
- In some cases, sick pay has allegedly been withheld, which the union says breaches existing agreements
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has accused UPS of “putting profits before people”, pointing to the company’s financial performance: UPS reported $1.31 billion in net profit on $21.4 billion in revenue in its most recent quarter, and handles more than 15 million parcels per day worldwide. [14]
UPS response: ‘Robust contingency plans’ and a “fair, sustainable” deal
UPS insists it wants a settlement and is publicly stressing its contingency planning. In comments reported by regional media and GB News, the company says it aims to create “a working environment that helps our people to thrive” and is seeking a “balanced, fair and sustainable agreement” that reflects employees’ contribution. It also says robust contingency plans are in place to minimise any disruption to customers if industrial action goes ahead. [15]
So far, no strike dates have been announced. As of 24 November 2025, the ballot is ongoing, and the outcome will determine whether December walkouts actually happen.
Who Could Be Hit if UPS Strikes?
UPS is the world’s largest parcel courier and plays a crucial role in UK e‑commerce and business logistics. Media reports and union statements warn that a strike could lead to nationwide delays for Christmas and January sales deliveries. [16]
According to Unite and subsequent news coverage: [17]
- Late Christmas gifts: Last‑minute orders placed in mid‑December would be most vulnerable
- Boxing Day and January sales: Bargain‑hunters relying on home delivery could see orders arrive days or even weeks later than expected
- Major brands at risk: Apple, Amazon, Dell and luxury labels like Louis Vuitton are among companies that commonly use UPS for deliveries
Consumer‑facing outlets are already advising shoppers to bring forward their online orders. GB News, for example, suggests placing standard‑delivery orders in early December and using express options by around 15 December to reduce the risk of disruption if walkouts go ahead. [18]
How the ETA and UPS Disputes Intersect for Travellers and Shoppers
At first glance, border control rules and parcel delivery disputes might seem unrelated. In practice, they speak to the same underlying reality: the UK is becoming a more tightly managed border and logistics environment, and both travellers and consumers will have to plan more carefully.
- The ETA system will not fully bite until February 2026, but awareness is being ramped up now, with the government, travel press and broadcasters stressing that visitors will soon need digital permission before they fly. [19]
- The UPS ballot, by contrast, is an immediate risk in December 2025, during the most sensitive period of the retail calendar. Even a short strike could snarl up deliveries well into January.
For families expecting relatives from abroad, the two issues may merge: a relative who has to secure an ETA for a 2026 trip may also be sending or receiving Christmas gifts this year through a courier network that is under strain.
What Travellers to the UK Should Do Now
If you or your relatives are planning trips to the UK in 2026, today’s announcement is a clear signal to start factoring ETA into your plans.
1. Check if you’ll need an ETA or a visa
Use the official GOV.UK checker to see whether you fall into the ETA‑eligible group or need a full visa instead. Most visitors from Europe, North America and a range of other visa‑exempt states will use ETA for short stays. [20]
2. Apply early – and only via official channels
The Home Office recommends applying at least three working days before you travel, in case your application needs manual review. Submit your details via the official UK ETA app or the GOV.UK website to avoid copycat services that charge extra fees. [21]
3. Make sure passport details match
Your ETA is electronically linked to the passport you used to apply. If you renew your passport, you’ll need to update your travel permission accordingly. [22]
4. Don’t panic if you’re travelling this Christmas
Although ETA is already in operation for some nationalities, the strict “no permission, no travel” enforcement for the full group of 85 countries starts in February 2026. Today’s news is a warning shot to get ready, not a sudden shutdown of December 2025 travel. [23]
What Online Shoppers in the UK Should Do About UPS Uncertainty
With the UPS ballot still underway, it’s impossible to say exactly how serious any disruption will be. But consumers can reduce risk with a few practical steps:
1. Order early where possible
Retail experts frequently advise treating the first half of December as the safe zone for standard deliveries, and switching to express services around mid‑month for time‑critical items. That guidance will matter even more if a major courier is facing walkouts. [24]
2. Check which courier your retailer uses
If you’re buying something essential or date‑sensitive (for example, a child’s main Christmas gift), it’s worth checking whether a retailer offers:
- Alternative couriers (Royal Mail, DPD, Evri and others)
- Click‑and‑collect options from stores or lockers
- In‑store collection from supermarkets or partner shops
Choosing a delivery method that does not rely solely on UPS could reduce the chance of delay if strikes go ahead.
3. Know your basic delivery rights
Under UK consumer law, if an online retailer fails to deliver goods by the agreed date – or within a “reasonable time” when no date is set – you generally have the right to cancel the contract and claim a refund. Guidance for businesses summarising the Consumer Rights Act 2015 notes that retailers must deliver within 30 days unless a different timeframe has been agreed. [25]
Citizens Advice and other consumer organisations also emphasise that your contract is with the retailer, not the courier. If a parcel goes missing or arrives very late, you should complain to the seller, who then has to sort things out with the delivery company. [26]
4. Keep documentation
If deliveries are late or fail altogether:
- Keep order confirmations, tracking details and any emails or messages from the retailer or courier
- Take screenshots of promised delivery dates on the retailer’s website
- Raise a complaint in writing so you have a record of when you first flagged the problem
If the retailer doesn’t resolve the issue, you can escalate via alternative dispute resolution schemes or seek advice from Citizens Advice.
The Bottom Line
On 24 November 2025, the UK government has drawn a clear line in the sand on border control: from February 2026, there will be no travel without digital permission for most short‑stay, visa‑exempt visitors. At the same time, a live UPS strike ballot is raising the risk of Christmas delivery chaos in just a few weeks’ time.
Both developments underline the same message: whether you’re flying into the UK or relying on a courier to bring Christmas to your doorstep, planning ahead is no longer optional. Check if you or your visitors will need an ETA, apply in good time, place key orders earlier than usual – and keep an eye on the outcome of the UPS ballot as December approaches.
References
1. www.gov.uk, 2. www.gov.uk, 3. www.gov.uk, 4. www.gov.uk, 5. www.gov.uk, 6. www.gov.uk, 7. www.gov.uk, 8. news.sky.com, 9. www.unitetheunion.org, 10. www.unitetheunion.org, 11. www.unitetheunion.org, 12. www.unitetheunion.org, 13. www.unitetheunion.org, 14. www.unitetheunion.org, 15. hounslowherald.com, 16. www.unitetheunion.org, 17. www.unitetheunion.org, 18. www.gbnews.com, 19. www.gov.uk, 20. www.gov.uk, 21. homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk, 22. homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk, 23. www.gov.uk, 24. www.gbnews.com, 25. www.wga.co.uk, 26. www.citizensadvice.org.uk
