From Feb. 25 the UK will require visitors from 85 countries to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel. The ETA — introduced in 2023 and extended to European visitors last year — costs £16 and applies to travellers who do not need a visa. Airlines will refuse boarding to passengers without an ETA, eVisa, or other valid travel document. British and Irish citizens and those with the right to live in the UK are exempt.
UK Makes Electronic Travel Authorisation Mandatory for Visitors From 85 Countries — ETA Required From Feb 25
People arrive to London Heathrow Terminal 3 in London, Britain, August 22, 2023. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska
From Feb. 25, travellers arriving in the United Kingdom from 85 countries must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel or risk being prevented from boarding, the UK interior ministry said.
What the ETA Covers
The ETA scheme applies to visitors who do not otherwise need a visa to enter the UK. Applicants must buy a pre-travel permit online at a cost of £16 (about $21.57). The system was introduced in 2023 and extended to include European travellers in April last year, but enforcement has not been consistent until now.
When It Becomes Mandatory
From Feb. 25 the ETA will be compulsory. Airlines are required to refuse boarding to passengers who do not hold a valid ETA, an eVisa, or other acceptable travel documentation.
Exemptions
British and Irish citizens (including those with dual nationality) and people who have the right to live in the UK are exempt from the ETA requirement.
"The ETA scheme is a vital part of our work to strengthen the UK's border security, helping to deliver a more efficient and modern service that works for both visitors and the British public," Migration Minister Mike Tapp said.
Context: EU Entry/Exit System
The move comes as the European Union rolls out its Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital system that replaces manual passport stamping at the EU's external borders. The EES creates digital records of arrivals and departures for better border control, but travellers and airport operators have reported delays at some airports since its introduction. Industry leaders have warned that full implementation around the Easter period could cause wider disruption.
Note: The ETA costs £16 (approximately $21.57). (Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Catarina Demony)
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