New Mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Entry to the UK

New Mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for ntry to the UK

03-04-25

From 2 April 2025, the UK implements a new entry requirement for foreign visitors: the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This permit is mandatory for citizens of countries that currently do not require a visa, including members of the European Union, and is intended to enhance border security and streamline the process of admission to the country.

The ETA is an electronic permit that allows travellers to enter the UK for short stays of up to six months, whether for tourism, business, family visits or short studies. This system is similar to those used in other countries such as the United States (ESTA), Canada (eTA) or Australia (ETA), and seeks to pre-screen travellers prior to arrival to improve security and efficiency at border controls.

Who should apply for the ETA?

All citizens of visa-exempt countries, including those from the European Union, are required to obtain an ETA before travelling to the UK. This includes minors, who must also have their own authorisation. However, there are some exceptions:

Irish citizens: They do not need to apply for an ETA due to previous agreements between the UK and Ireland.
People with valid UK visas or residence permits: Those who already hold a visa or permit to live, work or study in the UK are exempt from this requirement.
Travellers in transit without going through border control: If their final destination is another country and they do not need to go through passport control in the UK, there is no need to obtain an ETA.

Application process and costs

Application for the ETA is made online via the official UK ETA application or via the UK government website. To complete the process, applicants must provide:

Biographical details: personal information such as full name, date of birth and nationality.
Passport details: Passport number, date of issue and expiry date.
Digital photograph: A recent image of the applicant.
Answers to eligibility questions: Information related to criminal record, immigration history and other relevant data.

The cost of the ETA is £10 (approximately 12 euros) until 8 April 2025. From 9 April, the fee will increase to £16 (around 19 euros). Travellers are advised to apply for the ETA at least three working days before their trip, although most applications are processed within minutes. Once approved, the ETA is digitally linked to the applicant's passport and is valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

Additional considerations

It is essential that travellers verify that the information provided in the application exactly matches the information in their passport. Any discrepancies could result in refusal of entry to the UK. In addition, although the ETA facilitates the entry process, it does not guarantee admission; the final decision rests with the immigration officers at the point of entry.

For more information and to start the application process, travellers can visit the official UK government website: Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) - GOV.UK.

The implementation of the ETA represents a significant change in the requirements for entry into the UK. It is therefore essential that travellers are well informed and make the necessary arrangements in advance to avoid inconvenience to their travel plans.

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