UK Introduces New ETA for Non-EU Travelers Starting January 2025

The UK has officially launched its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for non-EU travelers, marking a significant step towards fully digitizing its borders. Starting from January 8, 2025, travelers from countries such as the US, Canada, and Australia will need to apply for an ETA to enter the UK. The new system is part of the UK’s broader effort to modernize immigration procedures and ensure more streamlined border control.

This new digital permit replaces the previous Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) scheme and offers a more cost-effective solution for travelers with multi-entry validity. The ETA is mandatory for nationals of most countries outside the EU, including those from the United States, Canada, Australia, and others. However, citizens from European Union countries will not need to apply for the ETA until later in 2025.

This step aligns with the UK’s ongoing efforts to standardize entry requirements across all international visitors, including tourists and business travelers.

The cost of the ETA is set at €11, and it can be obtained through an online application process. This initiative is part of the UK’s goal to create a more secure, efficient, and controlled entry system, minimizing the use of paper-based procedures and enhancing security.

For travelers planning to visit the UK, it’s essential to apply for the ETA well in advance to ensure smooth entry, especially for those traveling from countries like Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait where the scheme has been in place since last November.