Effective January 8, 2025, U.S. citizens traveling to the U.K. must have an electronic travel authorization. They can apply as early as November 27, 2024. The goal is to make entry into the UK more secure and efficient for travelers
How it works:
Starting January 8, tourists or business travelers from the United States (and numerous other countries – see list below) heading to the United Kingdom will need to take a few extra planning steps before hopping the pond. The U.K.—which consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland—is putting a new electronic travel authorization (ETA) system into place that requires travelers, including those from visa-free countries such as the United States, to obtain permission to travel to the U.K. ahead of arrival.
Like the U.S. ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), ETAs are digitally linked to the traveler’s passport, allowing smoother and more secure immigration processing.
Travelers should take note of important dates related to the ETA requirement:
- November 27th, 2024: Non-European nationals can start applying for an ETA.
- January 8th, 2025: Non-Europeans must have an ETA to enter the UK.
- March 5th, 2025: European nationals can apply for an ETA.
- April 2nd, 2025: European nationals will need an ETA to enter the UK.
Starting November 27, 2024, travelers from the following countries can apply for an ETA for travel into the U.K. that begins on January 8, 2025, and later:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Panama
- Singapore
- South Korea
- United States
Requirements for the UK ETA are as per below:
- A copy of a valid passport for the applicant (must be good for at least three months from planned date of arrival);
- Personal information including applicant’s name(s), surname, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents’ first names, email address, and phone number;
- Details about applicant’s level of education and current occupation;
- Details about applicant’s intended travel and stay; and
- Details about any criminal convictions, any past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether applicant has recently been subject of a decision requiring them to leave the territory of any country.
How long will it take to get an ETA?
After applying for an ETA, you can expect a decision within three working days. You’ll receive an email confirmation, and the approval is linked to the passport used for your application.
Once granted, your ETA is valid for two years with unlimited entries into the U.K. during that period. You can stay for up to six months at a time but remember to reapply if you get a new passport.
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