U.S. visitors—as well as visitors from Europe, Australia and Canada—will soon be required to apply for permission to enter the U.K. through a new scheme known as Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
The U.K. government is in the process of fully digitizing U.K. borders by the end of 2025—and the ETA scheme will play its part, allowing “individuals, and carriers, with more assurance at an earlier point in time about their ability to travel to the U.K.,” the government said.
The scheme will be in place by the end of this year (2023), and visitors will be required to fill out an online application granting them permission to travel. There will be a small fee included in the application—similar to how the U.S.'s own ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) system works for U.K. travelers.
Here's everything we know.
Will I need a visa to enter the U.K.?
This isn't technically a visa—the ETA system will grant travelers permission to enter the country. You will need to apply for an ETA prior to arrival. If you haven't received permission to travel before arrival, you may get fined.
How long will it take to get an ETA?
Travelers will be advised to apply for an ETA at least a few days before their journey. Approval should be granted within 72 hours of application.
How long will an ETA last?
After your ETA has been approved, visitors will be granted permission to stay in the U.K. for six months, whether for business or tourism reasons.
The U.K. government is yet to confirm how often visitors will need to apply for a new ETA, but it's likely to be valid for two years—meaning there's no need to apply for a new one every time you visit within the valid time period.
How much will an ETA cost?
We don't know yet—but the government has said that the cost will be small. The EU implemented a similar system in 2022, which costs €7. A U.S. ESTA, meanwhile, costs $21.
Who will need to apply for an ETA?
The full list of nations included hasn't been announced yet. We do know that U.S. citizens who don't hold a visa will need to apply for an ETA, as will other visa-exempt nations such as Canada and Australia. European countries are likely to be included, too. Those traveling from nationalities without a visa-free agreement with the UK will still need to apply for another applicable type of UK visa.
What will I need to apply for an ETA?
You'll need a valid passport, an email address to register with, and to supply the details of your travel, as well as a valid debit or credit card to pay any fees to apply.
To keep up to date with the latest information on the ETA scheme, check the official website for more details as they become available.
This article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller U.K.
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