Starting in 2025, European, Canadian, and American travelers will no longer need traditional visas to visit the UK. Instead, they will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This is a digital system similar to those used in the U.S. and Canada. There has been confusion about this change, with some reporting incorrectly that a new type of visa will be required.
The ETA is not a visa in the proper sense; it's an e-travel permit that, again, will be linked to the traveler's passport directly. It's a new pre-entry requirement for citizens of countries presently considered visa-exempt, including but not limited to those coming from the EU, EEA, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, and Australia. This innovative system aims at continuing to make travel easy for this category of nationality while ensuring that border security is not only heightened but also entry procedures smoothed.
This move is part of a larger trend toward digitization, as is already the case in many countries, such as the U.S., with its ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), and Canada's AVE. The ETA will allow visa-exempt travelers to visit the UK for short stays without going through the traditional visa application process, whether for tourism, business, or personal visits.
The ETA system shall take effect gradually. Starting January 8, 2025, it shall be binding upon the nationals of the United States, Canada, and Australia, as well as other non-European nations. By April 2, 2025, it shall also extend to all European Union, European Economic Area, and Swiss citizens who, up until this date, have not been obliged to obtain any sort of prior authorization to travel to the UK.
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Cost: The respective cost is not so high, incomparable to traditional visas, but within the reach of a large number of voyagers. Validity: ETA will be valid for multiple entries for two years. That is to say, once issued to the holder, he can travel to the UK as many times as he wants within those two years, without the need to reapply. Each individual stay can last up to six months for tourists and business visitors alike. |
The ETA will be mainly introduced for reinforcing the border security of the UK by ensuring that all travelers are pre-cleared before their arrival. This way, the authorities will be able to verify a visitor's identity and intent before they arrive in the country, thereby reducing the risks of unauthorized or illegal entry.
Meanwhile, the ETA maintains visa-free travel ease for the citizens of many countries. The process will be fully online and easy for travelers, who will get the required permission in advance of their trip and without having to go to an embassy or consulate.
The application process for the UK's ETA will be straightforward and designed for ease of use. Travelers can:
It has introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization-ETA system for visitors who are exempted from visas, joining programmes such as the US's ESTA and Canada's AVE. Here is how it has rolled out:
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Date |
Details |
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November 15th, 2023 |
Qatar was the first country to require an ETA for visa-free travel to the UK. |
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February 22nd, 2024 |
Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were added to the ETA program. (Jordan was removed on October 8th, 2024, and now requires a visa). |
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January 8th, 2025 |
The ETA program will expand to include 49 more visa-exempt countries, with further information expected to be released on September 10th, 2024. |
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November 27th, 2024 |
Nationals from select countries will be able to apply for their ETA through an online platform or mobile app. |
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April 2nd, 2025 |
The final phase includes all European countries, with ETA applications available from March 5th, 2025. |
Though both the ETA and the eVisa are electronic documents, they are used differently. The eVisa is for individuals who require immigration status to live, work, or study in the UK and is intended to replace more traditional physical documents, such as a biometric residence permit or visa sticker. On the other hand, the ETA targets those that come for short-term visits from visa-exempt countries, primarily for tourism, business, or family visits.
While the eVisa confirms the immigration status electronically, the ETA is a travel pre-authorization, confirming that entry into the UK is allowed for temporary stay.
The UK will introduce an ETA in 2025, a digital travel authorization for visitors from Europe, Canada, and the US. While it may seem like an extra step, the ETA iseasier and faster than traditional visas. This change aligns with global trends in digitization and security, offering a convenient and secure way to enter the UK.
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