Travel Permits to enter the UK are now in force.
The UK Government has now rolled out a requirement for travellers visiting the UK from 48 countries, including The USA and Australia, to apply for a new travel permits – Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The ETA scheme had already been in place for visitors from the Gulf States and will also be required for all EU citizens from April 2025.
A full list of countries can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-get-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta#who-can-apply-now
The permits cost £10 per person, including babies and children and can be applied for online at the UK government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta. The ETA permits cover multiple journeys, are valid for up to two years, and take up to three days to be verified upon application. It is highly recommended to make your application for the ETA at least four weeks in advance of travel to the UK.
The ETA’s are also required for those transiting through the UK to onward destinations, even if they do not pass through UK immigration and remain within the airport terminal.
The ETA permits are not required for individuals who have valid visas for work, travel or residency purposes. Those travelling without the new ETA’s may be denied boarding the aircraft or be denied entry to the UK upon arrival.
Who does not need an ETA?
British and Irish citizens, people who already have a visa or permission to live, work or study in the UK, those travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport and people who live in Ireland and are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man don’t need to apply for an ETA.
The European Union are also implementing a similar travel permit scheme from mid-2025 – ‘European Travel Information and Authorization System’ (ETIAS), which requires non-EU citizens travelling to any EU member state to have prior authorisation under the scheme.