Electronic Travel Authorisation comes into force on 8 January 2025 for those visiting the UK without a visa

7 January 2025

Please note that from 8 January 2025, visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia and other non-European nations who currently do not need a visa for short stays in the UK will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the country.

To receive an ETA, travellers must fill out an online form and pay a £10 fee (approximately US $12.75). Applicants should hear if their authorisation has been approved in a few hours, but in some cases, a decision may take up to three business days.

Please read full details on the ETA scheme and its requirements in our previous news article available by the following link: https://www.cartercamerons.com/uk-opens-the-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-application-to-non-europeans/.

According to the UK government’s Home Office, the expansion of the ETA scheme (which previously only applied to citizens of seven Middle Eastern nations) is aimed at creating a more streamlined entry system by confirming traveller eligibility to enter the UK before they leave their country of origin.

When boarding a plane to the UK, airport gate agents will verify your ETA status via digital link to your passport thereby reducing time and confusion at border crossings.

The Home Office states that the biographic, biometric and contact details collected during the application process will also help to increase security by better tracking traveller movements.

For further advice and assistance with ETA applications, or any other immigration matters, please contact our immigration team by emailing Robert Sookias at RobertSookias@cartercamerons.com.