London (Agencies): Starting January 8, 2025, travelers from 48 countries will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK.
- What is ETA? ETA is a digital registration scheme requiring travelers who don’t need a visa to pre-authorize their trip to the UK. This system aims to enhance security by pre-clearing individuals before travel, similar to the United States’ ESTA.
- Who Needs an ETA? From January 8, travelers from non-European countries including the US, Canada, and Australia will need an ETA. EU citizens will need an ETA starting April 2, 2025. Residents of the UK from these countries are exempt. The ETA is required for short visits under six months for tourism and business.
- Is it a Visa? No, ETA is a visa waiver, not a visa. Travelers needing a visa still need one, but won’t require an ETA on top of it.
- How to Apply?
- Cost: £10 (non-refundable)
- Application: Through the official app or website
- Requirements: Passport photo, personal photo, and travel plans
- Processing Time: Around 20 minutes, with decisions usually within three days
- Validity: ETA is valid for two years or until the linked passport expires, allowing multiple entries. Each traveler, including children, needs their own ETA.
- Transit: Even for short transits through the UK, an ETA is required.
- Note: Having an ETA does not guarantee entry; passport control still has the final say.
- Countries Requiring ETA:
From January 8, 2025: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British National (Overseas)), Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao Special Administrative Region, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan (if you have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan), Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United States, Uruguay.
From April 2, 2025: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City.