New UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) Explained

If you have plans to travel to any country within the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland), you’ll need to pay an entry fee starting in 2024.

The new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will cost about £10 ($12.50) and will be fully implemented by the end of 2024, as the UK continues to digitalize its border control systems. This electronic pass will be required for tourists, short-term business travelers, transit, and other common travel purposes.

It operates as a completely electronic system, modelled on the United States’ ESTA system. Therefore, you won’t have to deal with cumbersome paperwork. British travelers must register for ESTA online before entering the US; similarly, Americans will be required to obtain an ETA to visit the UK.

How Will the ETA Work?

While the specific screening criteria for the ETA have yet to be disclosed, it is expected that passengers will need to submit passport information and answer a series of security questions online to determine their eligibility. If successful, a pass will be issued, allowing you to visit the UK for a specified duration.

Who Will Need an ETA to Enter the UK?

According to the UK government, the ETA applies to those eligible to travel to the UK without a visa. This includes visitors arriving for tourism, family visits, or short-term business and study purposes of up to six months. It also encompasses individuals transiting through the UK.

Implementation Timeline

The UK is rolling out the ETA system in phases. Starting November 15, it will apply to visitors from Qatar. From February 22, 2024, it will expand to citizens from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Consequently, it is likely to eventually apply to all foreign visitors with visa-free access to the UK, including EU citizens and travelers from the US, Canada, Australia, and more by the end of 2024.

Cost and Application Timeline

Applying for the ETA will cost £10, equivalent to about $12.50 or €8.50. Keep in mind that it can take up to 72 hours for your application to be approved, and ETAs are valid for up to six months of visa-free travel in the UK.

Validity of the ETA

The ETA will be valid for two years, necessitating renewal every two years or whenever your passport expires.

Limitations of the ETA

Remember, the ETA grants access solely to the UK. If you are a non-EU citizen planning to visit the European Schengen Zone without a visa for a short-term stay, you will soon need to apply for a similar permit called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), anticipated to launch early next year at a cost of approximately €7 ($7.50).