As of January 8, 2025, the United Kingdom requires travelers who are not European citizens and do not need a visa to visit the United Kingdom to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before their trip to the United Kingdom. This also applies to people in transit at an airport in the country or cruisers making a stop in the UK. This affects, among others, Canadian, American, Australian and New Zealand travellers. You can find the list of countries concerned here. Citizens of the European Union will also be subject to this procedure from 2 April 2025.
The application for an Electronic Travel Authorization can be made on the official website of the British Government or by using the mobile application which can be downloaded from the same website. The cost is £10 and is non-refundable. Apply on the official website and not on third-party sites that require additional fees. All travelers regardless of age (even infants) must have a valid ETA to enter the country.
To apply, you will need to upload a photo of your passport and your picture, answer a few questions and pay the fee. The decision to approve or refuse the demand will come in the days following the request.
Once accepted, the Electronic Travel Authorization for the United Kingdom is valid for two years. However, if you renew your passport during this period, you will need to reapply. The ETA is valid for trips of less than six months.
