UK rolling out Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

[aplmac]

The UK Govt (like the rest of Europe) is bringing in an electronic travel authorisation for non-British and Irish citizens, and has confirmed the start date.

"...from 27 November 2024, eligible non-Europeans can apply for an ETA and will need an ETA to travel from 8 January 2025. ETAs will then extend to eligible Europeans from 5 March 2025, who will need an ETA to travel from 2 April 2025."

Application page is here and it costs £10 to apply. Everyone traveling needs to get an ETA, including babies and children. Should take up to 3 working days to process.

There's also an app for Apple/Google to expedite the process - links on the bottom of the Application page - as the process requires photos.

So basically from next year you'll need at least one/two e-visas if you're going to visit the UK and/or Europe in 2025 unless you have the necessary citizenships...

 

[RooFlyer]

The status of transit passengers has been a point of discussion in other places on this.

 

[serfty]

UK to expand digital travel to more visitors

By April 2025, all visitors who do not need a visa will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK.

www.gov.uk

ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and ensure more robust security checks are carried out before people begin their journey to the UK, helping to prevent abuse of our immigration system. An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to 6 months at a time over 2 years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. 

 

[Denali]

Wonder how I missed this, UK visitors to pay a £10 ETA fee from Jan. This incs if you're transiting

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[TomVexille]

Wonder how I missed this, UK visitors to pay a £10 ETA fee from Jan. This incs if you're transiting

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Oh that's dumb. I can't imagine that BA and LHR will be happy about that.

 

[transpactraveller]

It's annoying, but the UK's just playing catch up. Australia has been charging Brits (and others) $20 for an ETA for over a decade.

 

[TomVexille]

It's annoying, but the UK's just playing catch up. Australia has been charging Brits (and others) $20 for an ETA for over a decade.

Yeah, but not for airside International transits. I get that the USA does this but that's because they require you to enter the country.

 

[henrus]

Australia has been charging Brits (and others) $20 for an ETA for over a decade.

EU/UK passports actually can apply for the free eVisitor visa 651.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

People whinging on other forums that the processing time can take up to 3 days. How will they manage for a family emergency?

Good grief… if you have family in the UK and might need to travel immediately, apply now for an ETA!

 

[moa999]

US ESTA is also up to 48 hours, it is typically near immediate.