The UK government has issued fresh travel guidance, mandating travellers from 48 countries to secure an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) visa for entry into the UK starting from tomorrow. The new digital registration scheme applies to those planning short visits of less than six months for tourism, business, study or permitted paid engagements.
The non-refundable ETA costs £10 and can be obtained via the official app or online, with the app processing time being approximately 10 minutes. Travellers are advised to steer clear of third-party websites due to potential higher charges and safety concerns.
EU citizens will also require an ETA, but not until April 2, 2025. However, having an ETA does not guarantee entry into the UK as visitors must still undergo passport control and could be denied entry by Border Force.
Applicants need to upload a photo of their passport and themselves and answer questions about their reasons for visiting the UK. The process takes around 20 minutes and must be completed in one sitting.
Decisions are typically made within three days, but it can take longer. However, you’re permitted to travel to the UK while your decision is pending. The countries that will require an ETA visa from January 8 are as follows:
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British national overseas)
Israel
Japan
Kiribati
Macao Special Administrative Region
Malaysia
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Federated States of Micronesia
Nauru
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Samoa
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Taiwan (if you have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan)
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
United States
Uruguay
(Image: (Image: Getty))
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