Key points
- Many travelers who used to enter the UK visa-free now need a UK ETA before boarding.
- The ETA is linked to your passport and allows short stays of up to 6 months for tourism, including the marathon.
- Travelers from visa-required countries need a UK Standard Visitor Visa applied for well in advance.
- The most common mistakes are applying too late and entering incorrect passport details.
- Every traveler, including children and supporters, must meet UK entry requirements individually.
Why more London Marathon runners are double-checking UK travel requirements
The London Marathon continues expanding significantly. Over 56,000 runners completed the 2025 event, raising £87.3 million for charity, making it the largest annual one-day fundraising event globally. The 2026 ballot attracted more than 1.1 million entrants despite limited availability.
According to The Guardian’s reporting on future race expansion, organizers are exploring a two-day format accommodating up to 100,000 runners in 2027.
Around the same time, the United Kingdom introduced the ETA for travelers who previously enjoyed visa-free access. This is an additional step for those used to entering without pre-approval. While most ETA applications process quickly, the UK government recommends allowing up to three working days for processing, and potentially longer if additional verification is needed. For fixed-date events like the London Marathon, timing delays or application errors carry heightened consequences.
UK ETA or visa for the London Marathon: Which one do you need?
| Traveler type | What you need | What it means for your trip |
|---|---|---|
| From an ETA-eligible country | UK ETA | Apply before boarding. Short stays up to 6 months for tourism, including the London Marathon |
| From a visa-required country | UK Standard Visitor Visa | Apply at least 3 weeks in advance with additional documentation and a biometric appointment |
| Traveling with family or a group | Individual UK ETA or visa per person | Each traveler must apply separately, including children |
| Previously visited the UK visa-free | Likely now need the UK ETA | Rules have changed — do not assume previous entry rules still apply |
What is a UK ETA, and who needs one?
The UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is a relatively new requirement introduced in 2024 and expanded through 2025 and 2026.
It is a pre-travel authorization linked to your passport (not a visa), and for many visa-exempt travelers, it is now required before boarding a flight to the UK.
This creates challenges for experienced travelers. Many runners have visited the UK previously without advance applications, and that prior visa-free experience leads to incorrect assumptions that requirements are unchanged. If you are from an eligible country, you may now need approved ETA documentation even for brief trips like the London Marathon.
The UK ETA typically allows:
- Multiple entries up to 2 years, or until your passport expires
- Stays of up to 6 months per visit
- Travel for tourism, including events like the London Marathon
From April 2026, the ETA government fee increased from £16 to £20, as outlined in iVisa’s update on UK ETA and visa fee changes, which adds motivation to plan ahead and avoid repeat applications caused by errors. Note that this is the government fee; iVisa charges a separate service fee if you apply through iVisa.
Not all travelers qualify for an ETA. Some still require a UK Standard Visitor Visa, so early eligibility verification is essential.
UK ETA requirements for London Marathon travel
If you are eligible for a UK ETA, the application is relatively straightforward. Most issues do not stem from complexity, but from small mistakes.
You will typically need:
- A valid passport linked to your application
- A recent passport-style photo
- Basic personal details
What matters is accuracy.
Because the ETA is linked to your passport, even minor inconsistencies, such as a typo in your name or using a different passport when traveling, can create issues at check-in.
For marathon travel, where everything aligns with fixed dates, these small mistakes can have disproportionate consequences.
The 5 UK ETA mistakes that can cost you the race
The London Marathon is not flexible. You cannot reschedule it if travel complications emerge. That is why these mistakes carry particular weight.
1. Assuming visa-free still means no pre-travel requirement
This is the most common issue.
Many travelers assume that because they previously entered the UK without a visa, they can do so again. With the ETA rollout, that is no longer consistently true.
2. Leaving your application too late
Marathon travel involves fixed dates.
Flights, accommodation, and race logistics align with a specific weekend. Delaying your ETA or visa application until the final moment reduces your ability to correct issues if something goes wrong.
Victor Gimenez, Head of Customer Experience at iVisa, notes: “The biggest risk isn’t rejection, it’s applying too late.” For fixed events like the London Marathon, timing mistakes leave minimal opportunity to fix errors.
Travelers frequently secure flights and accommodation first, then discover too late that they need different documentation or have made a small error. At that stage, options become severely limited.
3. Applying with incorrect passport details
The UK ETA is linked directly to your passport.
Common issues include:
- Incorrect passport numbers
- Mismatched names
- Using a different passport when traveling
These are small errors, but they can cause major disruption at check-in.
4. Not checking if you need a visa instead of an ETA
Not everyone qualifies for the UK ETA.
Some travelers need a full visitor visa, and discovering this requirement too late can affect your ability to travel for the marathon.
5. Overlooking requirements for supporters and companions
The London Marathon is a shared experience. Many runners travel with partners, friends, or family members. Each traveler must meet UK entry requirements individually, including children.
Apply with confidence: Let us help you avoid mistakes
There are two approaches for applying for your UK ETA or visa:
- Direct applications: Some travelers choose to apply directly through official government channels, particularly if their situation is straightforward.
- Third-party applications: Others opt for services like iVisa for additional guidance, especially when timelines are tight, or they are applying for multiple people.
With iVisa, the emphasis is on reducing errors and simplifying the process. Travelers can complete their application step by step, upload documents in one place, and review everything before submission.
This is particularly useful for group travel, where multiple applications need to be completed correctly and consistently.
Check your eligibility and apply now
iVisa does not issue visas or ETAs, nor does it influence approval decisions. Those are always made by the UK authorities.
Need more information?
If you still have questions about the UK ETA process or your eligibility, iVisa’s support team can help clarify next steps via live chat or WhatsApp.
