An ETA is not a visa but a digital “permission” to allow visitors to travel to the UK.
Starting January 2025, all travelers to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission to travel in advance through an electronic travel authorization (ETA) similar to the US electronic system for travel authorization (ESTA).
ETA and ESTA systems are designed to pre-screen travelers before they arrive, enhancing security and streamlining the entry process. The UK ETA will be required for travelers who do not need a visa to visit the UK and do not hold other UK immigration status.
An ETA which costs £10 (P700 pesos) allows multiple entries and is valid for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires. An ETA is not a visa but a digital permission to travel to the UK.
Once granted, ETAs are digitally linked to a traveler’s passport and allow for stays in the UK of up to six months at a time – including both short trips and more extended stays.
Next year, the UK government will open ETA to eligible Europeans, who will be able to apply from March 5, 2025, and will need an ETA to travel to the UK from April 2, 2025.
From April 2025, all visitors to the UK who do not need a visa for short stays and who do not already have a UK immigration status will need an ETA.
Over 243,000 Gulf nationals were issued with ETAs in the first half of 2024, and they can now enjoy smoother, easier travel to the UK for short trips.
In 2023, visitors from the USA, Canada, and Australia alone contributed £8.8 billion to the UK economy, supporting the UK’s tourist industry and boosting local businesses across the country.
The UK Visas and Immigration said that ETAs will enhance security through new technology and make the UK border more efficient, preserving the UK’s appeal as a dynamic, diverse, and exciting destination to visit.
Eligible visitors should apply for their ETA through the UK ETA app, which is quick and simple to use and enables most applicants to receive a decision in hours. Visitors can also apply on GOV.UK if they do not have access to a smartphone.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra MP, said: “This expansion of ETA is a significant step forward in delivering a border that’s efficient and fit for the digital age.”
“Through light-touch screening, before people step foot in the UK, we will keep our country safe while ensuring visitors have a smooth travel experience,” said Malhotra.
To ensure the smooth implementation of a digitized border, the UK Visas and Immigration continues to work closely with the travel industry, including airlines, maritime, and rail carriers, and to inform visitors about the steps they need to take before they travel to the UK.
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