UK Government to Extend Electronic Travel Authorisation to All Travellers

The UK Home Office has announced that Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will be expanded to include all travellers by April 2025.

This will apply to travellers from visa-exempt countries, excluding UK and Irish nationals, who will need to obtain permission before travelling.

Starting from November 27, applications will be accepted from non-European travellers, with the requirement becoming mandatory on January 8, 2025. It will then be extended to European travellers from March 5, 2025, with the requirement becoming mandatory on April 2, 2025. The fee for ETA is £10, and it will be valid for two years or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

It has already been introduced for travellers from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Travellers who already have a visa, residence, work, or study permit for the UK, as well as those holding a British Overseas Territories passport, are exempt.