The United Kingdom is implementing electronic travel approvals.
Visiting the UK is about to become a tad more complex for certain individuals. According to a declaration made by the Home Office in London, individuals from visa-exempt regions, such as EU states or Switzerland, will be required to secure an electronic travel approval in the near future.
This new rule is scheduled to be implemented for Europeans starting April 2, 2025. For other countries, it will commence on January 8.
The authorization, named ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), costs £10 (€11.85) and requires renewal at least every two years. It grants multiple entries into the UK and stays of up to six months.
As per the Home Office announcement, these authorizations will be "digitally connected to a traveler's passport and will facilitate more stringent security checks."
Europeans who have an unlimited right to reside in the UK due to the Brexit agreement, along with Irish citizens, are exempt from this requirement.
A similar system has been in operation for entry into the USA for quite some time. The EU also plans to introduce an electronic travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors during the first half of 2025. British nationals will subsequently need to apply for authorization prior to entering EU countries.
This new ETA requirement will apply to individuals from the United Kingdom as well, as the EU plans to introduce a similar system for visiting EU countries.
Despite the new ETA requirement, individuals from The United Kingdom who have an unlimited right to reside in the EU due to the Brexit agreement, along with Irish citizens, will remain exempt.
