Beginning January 8, 2025, nationals of many countries—including the United States and Canada—will need to apply for and receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for any stay of up to six months in the UK, including layovers in UK airports.
An ETA is a preapproval document linked to a traveler’s passport, which must be obtained before traveling to or through England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. All travelers, including infants and children, must apply for the new document, which costs £10 per person. Once registered, an ETA is valid for two years or until the passport it is linked to expires, whichever occurs first. You can travel to the UK as many times as you want with a valid ETA.
What is an Electronic Travel Authorisation?
The ETA program, which will go into full effect in March 2025 when it expands to include European nationals, is part of the UK’s ongoing effort to maintain safe, efficient, digital borders.
Travelers from the United States and Canada, as well as many other countries, should plan to apply for an ETA when:
- Visiting the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, family, business, or short-term study
- Visiting the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
- Working at a permitted paid engagement, including as an artist, academic, or lawyer
- Stopping in the UK for a layover, even if you are not passing through UK border control
You do not need an ETA if you:
- Have a visa
- Have permission to live, work, or study in the UK
- Are a British or Irish citizen or a dual citizen of one of these countries
- Hold a British overseas territories citizen passport
- Live in Ireland and are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man
Applying for an ETA
If you are a national of the United States, Canada, or several other countries and know you will be traveling to the UK in the next two years, you can apply for an ETA beginning November 27, 2024. The application can be completed with the UK ETA app or online tool. If you’re applying for a traveler who is not physically present while you’re applying, use the online application.
To apply, you will need:
- The passport you travel with
- Access to your email account
- A credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
During the application process, you will upload photos of the passport and face of each person applying. Face photos must be clear, focused, and unaltered images with the head and shoulders against a plain background, much like a passport photo. You will not need any travel details.
Getting Started: Applying For a UK ETA
In most cases, your application will be processed within three working days. You will receive the government’s decision regarding your ETA via email.
