Visitors who want to travel to the United Kingdom and do not need a visa will be required to have an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) by April 2025.
This was announced on Friday 1 November by the government, which also referred to new implementation dates for the scheme as it moves ahead with plans to digitise the UK border.
Who needs an ETA and e-visa and when they can get one
Under the new system, everyone wishing to travel to the UK – apart from British and Irish citizens – will need travel authorisation before they arrive, which can be done either via ETA or eVisa.
As reported by the Digit News website, the government has confirmed that from 27 November 2024, eligible non-Europeans can apply for an ETA, which they will need to travel from 8 January 2025.
The ETA will then be extended to eligible Europeans from 5 March 2025, who will need it to travel from 2 April 2025.
ETAs are digitally linked to the traveller’s passport and, according to the government, ensure that more thorough security checks are carried out before travel to the UK begins.
The ETA costs £10 (equivalent to €11.94) and allows multiple trips to the UK for stays of up to 6 months at a time, over a two-year period or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever comes first.
Information on ETA eligibility is now available on GOV.UK.
Anyone who needs to apply for an ETA will be able to do so using the UK ETA app.
Visitors to the Gulf Cooperation Council already need an ETA to travel to the UK.
