Earlier this year, on January 8th, new rules came into effect for travelers from the US (and many other countries) heading to the UK. The UK, consisting of the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, has implemented a new electronic travel authorization (ETA) system that requires travelers, including those in countries without visas, to obtain permission to travel to the country prior to their arrival.
Just like the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) required for a trip to the Schengen Zone in Europe at the end of 2026 (probably later, there is no exact start date yet), the UK ETA system is a digital permit and registration for entry to the UK. It is being implemented in stages and some travelers will already have to apply.
The UK Government ETA Information Page allows you to find the complete list of countries you need to have an ETA when entering the UK. The new ETA system will come into effect on April 2, 2025, primarily for another batch of European citizens.
Nick Derenzo, a contributor editor at Afar, recently tried it, and noted that the entire process was much easier and seamless than he thought.
“I visited London in the winter, and I thought it was a painstaking, time-consuming job, so I put off the chore of securing an ETA for a few weeks, and I was almost embarrassed by how simple it was,” Derenzo said.
“It took me a few minutes (downloading the app) to begin with (filling out the payment method),” he said. “The website said it could take up to three days to get a response, but I submitted my application on Saturday at 4:15pm and received an email approval at 4:17pm.”
How to apply for UK ETA Entry Requirements
To apply for a UK ETA, travelers must enter basic personal information, including passport information, valid email addresses, and some security information, into the UK ETA app, available from the Apple Store or Google Play. Applicants must upload a passport and a photo of their face. There is a £10 fee to apply ($13 USD based on current conversion rate) that can be paid by credit or debit card.
Everyone traveling to the UK, including babies and children, should get an ETA.
How long does it take to get an ETA?
According to the UK government, after applying for an ETA, “You will usually get a decision within three business days, but you may get a faster decision.
The decision will arrive as confirmation of the email, and the approval will be linked to the passport used by the application.
Once approved, the ETA for entering the UK will be valid for two years and there is no limit to the number of times you can enter the UK in that time frame. ETAs can spend up to six months at a time in the country and visit any part of the UK, but if they have obtained a new passport, they will need to reapply for a new ETA.
What is the UK’s new e-travel approval (ETA)?
According to the government, the UK ETA is a digital permit to enter the UK, part of a larger plan to fully digitalize the border.
“This scheme gives the UK more control of our borders and allows us to stop the threat to the UK, while also providing individuals and airlines with more assurances at a earlier point in their ability to travel to the UK,” the government said.
ETAs are needed for anyone traveling in the UK for leisure travel, business, short-term research or medical procedures. Anyone planning to work for more than six months or reside in the UK must obtain a proper visa.
If you already have a visa or study permission to live, work or study as a British and Irish citizen, and you don’t already have an ETA, you will not need an ETA.
This story was originally published in February 2023 and updated on March 28, 2025, and contains current information.
