The UK Home Office has announced the upcoming worldwide rollout of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which will require millions of international visitors to gain permission to enter the country. The ETA is part of a plan to fully digitise UK borders by 2025. Starting on 27 November, all eligible non-Europeans can apply for the ETA, with a requirement for entry into the UK from 8 January 2025. This includes citizens from the US, Canada, Australia, and other countries. The scheme was initially rolled out for nationals from certain Middle Eastern countries last November and is now being extended to Europeans as well.
Previously, nationals of certain Middle Eastern countries could apply for a single-use Electronic Visa Waiver for entry into the UK at a cost of £30. The new ETA scheme has entirely replaced the EVW scheme, providing a lower-cost option with multi-entry validity. The ETA has now opened up to all nationalities, except Europeans, and will be required for entry from 8 January 2025. Europeans will need to have an ETA for travel from 2 April 2025, with applications opening on 5 March. To apply for an ETA, visitors will need to fill in an online application form, provide travel details, an email address, and a credit or debit card. Approval should be granted within 72 hours once the application is submitted.
The ETA is not a visa, but it grants permission to enter the UK. Visitors who currently do not need a visa to enter the UK, including citizens from the US, Canada, Australia, and Europe, will need to obtain an ETA before traveling. Failure to apply for an ETA could result in fines. UK and Irish passport holders are exempt from the requirement. Travellers from countries without visa-free agreements with the UK will still need to apply for the appropriate visa and an ETA. The ETA will be valid for up to six months or two years with a valid UK visa, allowing multiple entries within that time period.
The UK is introducing the ETA scheme as part of its plan to digitise its borders at UK airports by the end of 2025. The scheme aims to reduce queues at the border and speed up legitimate journeys to the UK. Some passengers may be able to enter the country without using an electronic passport gate or speaking to a Border Force officer. Instead, travellers may be required to upload a photo of themselves and submit it to the Home Office before their travel. Facial recognition technology could be utilized to create “contactless corridors” for international travellers, requiring the submission of biographic and biometric details through the new ETA scheme before flying.
