UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation Becomes Mandatory for Non-EU Visa-Free Visitors
Starting January 8, 2025, travellers from 48 visa-free countries must obtain pre-travel authorisation to enter the UK.
This new system, known as the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), marks a major change for visitors accustomed to traveling to the UK without prior approval.
The ETA is a digital registration system to enhance border security and streamline entry procedures.
Here’s what you need to know:
Who Needs an ETA?
If you’re from a country that doesn’t require a visa to visit the UK, you will need an ETA for stays of up to six months for tourism, business, or short-term study.
Starting January 8, 2025, travellers from 48 non-EU countries, including the US, Canada, and Australia, must have an ETA to enter the UK. For EU citizens, the requirement will take effect on April 2, 2025.
Residents of the UK and those already holding UK visas are not required to apply for an ETA.
Legal EU residents without an EU passport will also need a UK ETA if they are visa-exempt. However, non-EU/EEA residents in the EU who already require a visa to enter the UK remain unaffected and must follow existing visa application procedures.
How to Apply for an ETA
The process is simple and fully digital:
- Cost: £10 (non-refundable).
- Where to Apply: Use the official UK government app or website.
- What’s Required:
- A valid passport.
- A photo of yourself (uploaded digitally).
- Basic travel details.
- Processing Time: Most applications are approved within 72 hours. However, travellers are advised to apply well in advance of their trip.
The ETA is valid for two years and permits multiple entries. However, if you renew your passport, you must apply for a new ETA. Each traveller, including infants, must have their own ETA, though applications can be completed on their behalf.
Even for transit through the UK, an ETA is required.
It is important to note that an ETA doesn’t guarantee entry into the UK. Border Force officials retain the authority to grant or deny entry upon arrival.
The UK’s new ETA system underscores the trend toward increased pre-travel security measures. To avoid disruptions, travellers should familiarise themselves with the requirements and apply for an ETA well before their journey.
| NON-EUROPEAN COUNTRIES THAT NEEDS UK ETA ON JANUARY 8, 2025 | |||
| Argentina | Guatemala | Federated State of Micronesia | Solomon Islands |
| Australia | Guyana | Nauru | South Korea |
| The Bahamas | Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British national overseas) | New Zealand | St Kitts and Nevis |
| Barbados | Israel | Nicaragua | St Lucia |
| Belize | Japan | Palau | St Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Botswana | Kiribati | Panama | Taiwan* |
| Brazil | Macao Special Administrative Region | Papua New Guinea | Tonga |
| Brunei | Malaysia | Paraguay | Trinidad and Tobago, |
| Canada | Maldives | Peru | Tuvalu |
| Chile | Marshall Islands | Samoa | United States |
| Colombia | Mauritius | Seychelles | Uruguay |
| Costa Rica | |||
Do you have plans to visit the UK? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.
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