Starting next year, EU and US citizens will be required to obtain a £10 travel permit to enter the UK, as part of a major initiative aimed at bolstering border security. The new rule, announced in government documents on Tuesday, mandates that all visitors who do not need a visa must secure digital travel authorization before entering the UK.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which mirrors the US ESTA program, will cost £10 and permit multiple entries for up to two years or until the passport expires. The scheme will first be implemented for travelers from over 40 countries, including the US, Australia, Japan, Israel, and Hong Kong, starting January 8, 2025. EU nationals will be included from April 2, 2025, although Irish citizens will remain exempt. Travelers already needing a visa will continue to do so.
Seema Malhotra, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, stated, “The global expansion of the ETA underscores our commitment to enhancing security through advanced technology and a modern immigration system.”
Transfer passengers changing flights at UK airports without entering the country will also need an ETA. Heathrow Airport recently reported losing 90,000 transfer passengers on routes to and from the seven Middle Eastern countries already participating in the trial, urging the government to reconsider including airside transit passengers in the scheme.
Since the Brexit deal took effect at the end of 2020, UK and EU citizens have faced increased border formalities, leading to disruptions for Eurostar and Channel ports. UK citizens will also face new EU biometric border checks starting in November, with a similar EU visa waiver program set to launch in 2025.
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