Monday, March 31, 2025 - In a significant shift in travel regulations, European nationals traveling to the United Kingdom will now require a mandatory entry permit, known as the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), starting Wednesday. The UK government asserts that this measure aims to bolster border security.
The ETA, which functions similarly to the United States’
ESTA system, allows visits of up to six months and remains valid for two years.
It is mandatory for all travelers, including minors and infants.
Initially priced at £10 (12 euros), the cost of the permit
will rise to £16 from April 9. Applications can be made through a smartphone
app or the government website, with approvals typically granted within minutes.
However, the Home Office advises travelers to apply up to three working days in
advance.
“By digitising the immigration system, we are paving the way
for a contactless UK border,” Migration Minister Seema Malhotra stated earlier
this month. “Expanding ETA worldwide cements our commitment to enhance security
through technology and innovation.”
From April 2, nationals of around 30 European
countries—including all EU nations except Ireland—must obtain an ETA before
entering the UK. This requirement follows its earlier rollout for U.S.,
Canadian, and other visa-exempt travelers in January.
To apply, individuals must submit a digital photo of their
passport and face. The approved ETA is electronically linked to their passport,
eliminating the need for a physical document.
Flight passengers transiting airside without crossing the UK
border are exempt from the scheme—a decision influenced by lobbying from
Heathrow Airport, which feared a decline in transit passengers. Currently, only
Heathrow and Manchester airports accommodate airside transit in the UK.
The ETA program was first introduced in 2023 for Qatari
nationals before extending to five other Gulf states. In January 2025, it was
further expanded to include travelers from around 50 additional countries and
territories, such as Argentina, South Korea, and New Zealand.
By the end of 2024, nearly 1.1 million visitors had been
issued ETAs, according to the Home Office. The scheme does not apply to UK
residents or individuals who already hold UK immigration status. It also
mirrors the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which
will require visa-exempt nationals to obtain approval before traveling to 30
European countries, including France and Germany. However, the EU’s ETIAS
system has been delayed until 2026.
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