Travelling to the UK? New Travel Requirement for 2025

Planning a trip to the UK for business, tourism, study, or even just a layover? Starting in 2025, most travelers who do not currently need a visa will be required to apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or transiting through a UK airport, this new requirement applies to many passport holders previously considered visa-exempt.

What Is the UK ETA?

The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is a digital travel permit introduced by the UK government as part of a broader effort to streamline and secure its borders. It’s similar to the U.S. ESTA or Canada’s eTA.

If you’re from a country that doesn’t require a UK visa, you will now need an ETA to:

• Enter the UK for tourism or business
• Study or attend events (up to 6 months)
• Transit through a UK airport

Key Dates to Know

• January 8, 2025 – ETA becomes mandatory for the first group of eligible travelers from visa-exempt countries.
• April 2, 2025 – Requirement expands to include most other visa-exempt nationalities, including travelers from Europe.

How to Apply

You can apply for your ETA through the official UK ETA app or at gov.uk/eta. The process is simple and usually takes only a few minutes.

What you’ll need:

• A valid biometric passport
• A digital photo (face scan)
• An email address
• A credit or debit card (fee: £16)

Most applications are approved within 3 working days, and the ETA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires—whichever comes first.

What You Can (and Can’t) Do with an ETA

✅ Permitted Activities:

• Tourism or visiting friends/family
• Business trips and short conferences
• Short-term study (up to 6 months)
• Creative work under permitted engagement
• Transit through a UK airport

❌ Not Permitted:

• Working or long-term residence
• Marrying or registering a civil partnership
• Accessing public services or benefits

Who Doesn’t Need an ETA?

You do not need to apply for a UK ETA if you are:

• A British or Irish citizen
• A legal resident of the UK with valid immigration status (e.g., visa, settled or pre-settled status)
• A resident of Ireland entering the UK from within the Common Travel Area
• A traveler remaining airside during transit (not passing through UK border control)
• A child on an approved school trip from France

Don’t Risk Being Turned Away

The ETA is now part of UK entry requirements and must be obtained before travel. Without it, airlines may not allow you to board your flight or transit through the UK.

Double-check your travel documents and apply in advance to ensure smooth and stress-free travel.

More info and application link: gov.uk/eta

Featured photo by Heidi Fin