Planning a trip to the UK soon? You might need a visa waiver to enter. As of January 8, 2025, visa-exempt travelers carrying a passport from the U.S., Canada, Australia, or one of the nearly 50 other countries on this list must meet the UK’s new entry requirement.
What is the requirement and how do you apply? Here’s what you need to know about their new electronic travel authorization (ETA), how to apply for it, plus how to stay up to date on changes or other international travel requirements.
What is the UK’s electronic travel authorization (ETA)?
The UK’s ETA is a digital travel authorization that gives you permission to travel to the UK. As of January 8, 2025, all visa-exempt travelers (of all ages) who want to visit the UK are required to have one for their trip. This applies to all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland and British Overseas Territories.
The ETA allows you to travel to the UK to visit for up to six months for tourism, business, and transit purposes. It is being introduced gradually, and will apply to more nationalities over time.
The ETA costs £10. It’s valid for two years or the remaining period of validity on your passport—whichever is shorter.
Who does—and doesn’t—need an ETA to visit the UK?
Travelers who are visa-exempt must apply for an ETA in order to visit the UK. However, whether you can apply depends on the date you travel as well as your nationality as shown on your passport.
You can visit this official UK government site to determine if you can apply for an ETA.
You do not need to apply for an ETA if you already have a UK visa, an exempt vignette, or a British or Irish passport. In addition, nationalities that require a visa to visit the UK will continue to do so and should not obtain an ETA.
Related reading: Planning to Visit Europe in 2025? You Might Need an ETIAS Travel Authorization
How do I apply for an ETA?
Travelers can apply for their ETA via the UK ETA app or the official UK government ETA site. Processing may take up to three working days, so travelers should plan ahead to ensure they receive their ETA ahead of their trip.
How can I find out about other travel requirements?
To stay up to date on ever-changing international travel regulations, you can consult TripIt Pro Travel Guidance.
You can find this information one of two ways. If you haven’t yet booked a trip, you can look up guidance from the Pro tab under the section, Travel Guidance. Here, you can enter your intended destination country and travel dates. Travel Guidance factors in your nationality, passport information, origin, and travel dates. Origination country and nationality are prefilled based on your profile, but can be edited.
Read more: Know Before You Go With TripIt Pro Travel Guidance
Or, once you book a trip, you’ll be able to easily see your destination’s current requirements for visas, documentation, health insurance, and vaccination, plus whether the country is open for travel—right in your trip itinerary.
To locate the feature, go to an itinerary for an international trip in the TripIt app. For iOS, tap the three dots in the top right-hand corner to open the menu and select Travel Guidance. For Android, tap the guidebook icon above the button with the plus sign.
