From 27 November 2024, eligible non-Europeans can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and will need an ETA to travel from 8 January 2025.
An ETA gives visitors permission to travel to the UK. By April 2025, all visitors who do not need a visa will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK.
- Gulf Cooperation Council visitors already need an ETA to travel to and transit through the UK.
- Eligible non-Europeans can apply in advance from 27 November 2024 and will need an ETA to travel from 8 January 2025.
- Eligible Europeans can apply from 5 March 2025 and will need an ETA to travel from 2 April 2025.
See the full list of countries of who will need to apply for an ETA on GOV.UK
An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. The introduction of ETAs is in line with the approach many other countries have taken to border security.
Information and assets for partners
To help you communicate this information the Home Office has supplied a range of fact sheets (including translated versions), social media assets and promotional materials all available in their Partner Pack available for download.
Home Office is hosting a series of ETA information events for travel, tourism, business travellers and education organisations with dates available from December 2024 to March 2025. The events provide the opportunity for businesses to hear about how travel to the UK is changing, and to ask questions.
