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

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[TomVexille]

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

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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.

 

[Pushka]

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!

Yes. This is what we will be doing as soon as it opens. Son in UK.

 

[aplmac]

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!

May I draw your attention to the thread regarding UK Pensions - a pension query today will be got to in August 2025... Three days is efficiency personified

 

[OATEK]

MrsOatek has a UK Passport and an AU one, so should be able to travel as a "British citizen" and not need the ETA (at least until it expires).

We are in the same boat as @Pushka with daughter/granddaughter living permanently so will have to pay up or miss out.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Data point… applied for UK ETA earlier today, approved in 34 minutes.

So it seems this is more like the US system where the processing time for straightforward applications is going to be pretty quick.

 

[Pushka]

Data point… applied for UK ETA earlier today, approved in 34 minutes.

So it seems this is more like the US system where the processing time for straightforward applications is going to be pretty quick.

How much is it?

 

[VPS]

10 Pounds and there are already fake sites when you google UK ETA

 

[scopedope]

16 minutes for me. Very quick. Although the app did not work and I had to apply online instead.