Following the introduction of new travel rules by the European Union (see the link at the end of the article for details), the UK will also implement new entry regulations. The regulations were published on October 25, 2023 and updated on September 10, 2024. The details of the regulations are introduced on the UK government website. In the future, an electronic travel authorization (ETA) will be implemented for entry. So who must apply? Who does not need to apply? Where can I apply? How much does it cost? Let’s take a closer look today.
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is mainly for visa-free travelers (such as tourists, etc.). They need to apply for entry permission online before entering the UK. Whether to apply for an electronic travel authorization depends on two factors, one is the travel date, and the other is the nationality shown on the passport. The UK will implement the electronic travel authorization in three stages according to the category of countries.
New regulations for entering the UK: implementation of electronic travel certificates (Image source: pixabay)
If you are a national of one of the following and you want to enter the UK you must apply now:
Phase 2: Apply from November 27, 2024
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People from the following countries or regions can apply from November 27, 2024. Once approved, they can travel to the UK with an electronic travel certificate from January 8, 2025.
- USA
- Canada
- Australia
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Panama
- Israel
- Peru
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Japan
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British Nationals Overseas)
- Taiwan
- Macao Special Administrative Region
- Malaysia
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Maldives
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Botswana
- Brunei
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Nauru
- Nicaragua
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Samoa
- Seychelles
- Solomon Islands
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Uruguay
New regulations for entering the UK: implementation of the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (Image source: pixabay)
Phase 3: Apply from March 5, 2025
People from the following countries or regions can apply from March 5, 2025. From April 2, 2025, they can travel to the UK with the electronic travel certificate they have obtained.
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- 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
You do not need an eTravel Pass if you are any of the following:
- British or Irish passport
- British Overseas Territories Passport
- Have a visa
- have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme)
- If you are resident in Ireland and travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, you do not need an eTravel Certificate.
cost
The application fee is £10. All travelers are required to obtain an electronic travel certificate, including infants and children. Once applied, there is no refund.
Download the UK ETA app from the App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/uk-eta/id6444912481
Download the UK ETA app from Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.gov.HomeOffice.ho3
Apply online at the UK government website:https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/how-to-apply
Normally, within 3 working days, the applicant will receive an email confirming whether the ETA has been obtained.
It is important to emphasize that you must obtain an electronic travel certificate before traveling to the UK. The certificate is valid for two years, during which the applicant can travel to the UK multiple times. Even if the applicant obtains an electronic travel certificate, it does not guarantee that they can enter the UK. Because at customs, border officials need to check before they can confirm whether they have passed.
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ETA starting from the implementation date:
New Rules for Entering the UK: Implementation of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
Following the introduction of new travel rules by the European Union, the UK is set to implement new entry regulations. The regulations, published on October 25, 2023, and updated on September 10, 2024, introduce an electronic travel authorization (ETA) for visa-free travelers. In this article, we will delve into the details of the regulations, including who needs to apply, who is exempt, where to apply, and the cost.
Who Needs to Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?
The ETA is primarily for visa-free travelers, such as tourists, who need to apply for entry permission online before entering the UK. The requirement to apply for an ETA depends on two factors: the travel date and the nationality shown on the passport. The UK will implement the ETA in three stages according to the category of countries.
Phase 1: Countries that Need to Apply Now
Citizens of the following countries need to apply for an
New Entry Regulations: Understanding the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
Following the introduction of new travel rules by the European Union, the UK is also implementing new entry regulations. The regulations were published on October 25, 2023, and updated on September 10, 2024. In the future, an electronic travel authorization (ETA) will be required for entry into the UK. This article will explain who needs to apply, who doesn’t, where to apply, and how much it costs.
What is an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?
An ETA is mainly for visa-free travelers, such as tourists, who need to apply for entry permission online before entering the UK. Whether to apply for an ETA depends on two factors: the travel date and the nationality shown on the passport. The UK will implement the electronic travel authorization in three stages according to the category of countries.
Who Needs to Apply for an ETA?
If you are a national of one of the following countries and you want to enter the UK, you must apply now:
Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Phase 2: Apply from November 27, 2024
People from the following countries or regions can apply from November 27, 2024. Once approved, they can travel to the UK with an electronic travel certificate from January 8, 2025:
USA
Canada
Australia
Argentina
Brazil
Colombia
Mexico
New Zealand
Panama
Israel
Peru
Singapore
South Korea
Japan
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British Nationals Overseas)
Taiwan
Macao Special Administrative Region
Malaysia
Antigua and Barbuda
Maldives
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Botswana
Brunei
Chile
Costa Rica
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Federated States of Micronesia
Nauru
Nicaragua
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Samoa
Seychelles
Solomon Islands
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Uruguay
Phase 3: Apply from March 5, 2025
According to the UK government’s website, nationals from the following countries can apply for an ETA from March 5, 2025, and travel to the UK with an ETA from April 2, 2025:
Andorra [[1]]
How Much Does an ETA Cost?
The cost of an ETA is currently unclear. However, it is expected to be announced soon.
ETA Starting from the Implementation Date
From the implementation date, all visa-free nationals will need to obtain an ETA before traveling to the UK. The application process will be online, and applicants will need to provide their biographic, biometric, and travel
