The UK Home Office has expanded the list of countries whose citizens now need an ETA to enter the UK. In particular, the changes affect representatives of the USA, Canada, Australia and EU countries. Find out what this document is and how to get an ETA

The UK government has announced that the list of foreign visitors who will need an ETA to travel to the country has been expanded.

The UK will now not only require all non-EU nationals to obtain an ETA before travelling, but from 5 March 2025, citizens of European Union member states will also be able to apply for one.

We have compiled everything we know so far about the UK’s visa policy changes in this article.

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Who and when will need to obtain an ETA to enter the United Kingdom?

- Countries for whose citizens an ETA is already mandatory

Citizens of Qatar were the first for whom Great Britain introduced an ETA travel permit. For them, the system has been working since November 15, 2023.

The next group included visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan. Travelers from these countries will issue an ETA from February 2024.

For representatives of 47 non-EU countries, the ETA entry permit opened from November 27, 2024 and became mandatory for entry from January 8, 2025.

This group includes citizens of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea , St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United States, and Uruguay.

- ETA for EU citizens

Citizens from all European Union countries, including associated territories, can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for the UK from 5 March 2025. However, the document will not be required for travel to the country until April.

EU citizens will need to have a valid ETA to be allowed to enter the UK from 2 April 2025. Until then, everyone will have a month to apply for the document.

Under this authorisation, EU citizens will be able to stay in the UK for up to six months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business and short-term study.

The document will also be required for EU citizens transiting through a UK airport, as well as for those entering the UK for authorised paid work and for up to three months under the Creative Worker visa.

Citizens of the following countries will need an electronic entry permit: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta , Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the Vatican.

Important! An ETA is mandatory for citizens of visa-free countries, however, citizens of Tunisia, Mauritius, Haiti and other countries that do not qualify for visa-free travel must still obtain a British tourist visa before traveling.

How do I apply for an ETA to enter the UK?

Once the ETA system is implemented in your country, you will need to complete an online application form before entering the UK, which will grant you permission to enter.

You can apply using a special mobile app or via the UK government website. To do this, you will need the following documents:

- valid biometric passport;

- travel information;

- e-mail address;

- credit or debit card.

In addition, you will have to answer a number of questions about your future trip.

Please note: The UK Home Office stresses that everyone travelling to the UK under the visa-free regime must obtain an ETA, including infants and children.

There will be a small application fee of £10 (€11.66) but it remains to be seen whether this will remain the same as the UK Home Office has proposed a 60 per cent increase in the cost of the ETA. If the UK authorities decide to continue with the price hike, EU citizens will have to pay €18 (£16).

ETAs can also be obtained in lieu of a visa by those entering the UK for up to three months on a Creative Worker visa concession and those entering for authorized gainful employment.

Your ETA will be valid for six months – meaning you will not need to apply for a new travel authorization if you visit the UK again within that time period.

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When planning a trip abroad, be sure to take care of a travel insurance policy, which will protect you from unforeseen situations during the trip and compensate for unplanned expenses - for treatment, in case of lost luggage, flight cancellation, etc.

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Why did the UK decide to introduce the ETA permit?

The ETA is part of the UK's plan to digitize its borders by the end of 2025. The system is digitally linked to travelers' passports and provides a more reliable security check.

Comparison with other visa-free programs

Electronic entry permits are introduced in various countries of the world:

- The United States has a similar system known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which was first introduced in 2009. An ESTA currently costs $21 and is valid for two years.

- Similarly, the European Union plans to launch its visa waiver program, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), in 2025. ETIAS will be valid for three years and will cost travelers €7 (approximately $7.50).

- ETA-IL permit for visa-free travelers to Israel - Citizens of the 99 countries eligible for short-term visa-free travel to Israel must now apply for an ETA-IL permit before traveling. Currently, the procedure for obtaining it is voluntary, but from January 1, 2025, it will become a mandatory condition for visiting the state.

The new entry permit to the UK is a major change in the country's immigration policy, which aims to strengthen border security and manage the flow of visitors. Travelers should stay informed and prepare for this new requirement to avoid disruptions during their move.

Book a consultation with a migration lawyer to learn the current rules for traveling to the United Kingdom.

We will remind you! Thailand is simplifying travel with the full implementation of an electronic visa system in January 2025. From now on, you can apply for a permit from anywhere, anytime, for a faster and smoother entry process. We have already told you who can visit the kingdom under the simplified migration system and what is the procedure for obtaining an entry permit.

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