Starting Wednesday, millions of US citizens and other non-European travellers visiting or transiting through the UK without a visa will need a £10 Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
The Home Office is expanding the ETA system, initially launched in November 2023, to cover more nationalities.
Previously required only for travellers from Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, the ETA will now be mandatory for non-Europeans entering the UK without a visa or residency rights. From April 2, 2025, it will apply to all eligible travellers.
British and Irish citizens are exempt from this requirement.
What is an ETA?
The ETA is a digital travel permit linked to a traveller’s passport. It allows multiple journeys to the UK for up to six months at a time over two years or until the passport expires.
The Home Office stated the ETA system strengthens security checks, ensuring travellers meet immigration requirements before beginning their journey.
Who Needs an ETA?
Nearly five million Americans visit the UK annually, and under the new rules, all US citizens travelling for tourism, family visits, business, conferences, or short-term study (up to six months) will need an ETA.
According to US travel advice, “Effective January 8, 2025, all U.S. citizens transiting through or traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism, family visits, business meetings, conferences, or short-term study for 6 months or less will require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to travel.”
Travellers can apply for an ETA via the UK ETA app or the gov.uk website.
Impact on Travel
In the year ending September 2024, over 601,000 ETAs were granted. Heathrow Airport reported a 90,000 drop in transfer passenger numbers on routes covered by the scheme since its introduction.
The UK saw 130.9 million arrivals during the same period, with British nationals accounting for 55% of entries.
The expansion of the ETA aims to streamline entry processes while enhancing border security and reducing potential misuse of the UK’s immigration system.
