The United Kingdom has announced the introduction of new travel regulations that require citizens of visa-exempt non-European countries to apply for pre-travel authorization before visiting the country to enhance national security.

The new regulations, effective January 8, 2025, require non-European citizens, including children from 48 visa-exempt countries, traveling to or through the United Kingdom for tourism, business, or short-term study of up to six months or less apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).

UK’s new travel rules aim to enhance border entry processes and national security by ensuring those permitted into the country are properly screened to ensure they do not pose any threat to the country.

The ETA, currently priced at about $13 (£10), is a digital permit that allows travelers from around the world to visit the U.K. without a visa. When granted, the ETA is linked to the applicants’ passport, allowing them to stay in the UK for up to 6 months at a time. 

While the permit is not an equivalence of a visa, it allows the U.K. to screen travelers before arrival, reducing potential security risks and ensuring smoother travel for the holders.

According to the announcement, the ETA applications are processed within three working days. Once approved, the permit allows visitors to enjoy multiple entries into the country for 2 years from the approval date or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

UK’s ETA system is similar to other programs already used by some countries, including the United States (ESTA) and South Korea (K-ETA).

The introduction of ETA for citizens of visa-exempt countries is expected to impact millions of people who visit the UK every year, including 6 million from Australia, Canada, and the United States. In 2023 alone, visitors from these countries contributed £8.8 billion (about $10.9 billion) to the UK’s economy, boosting the country’s tourism sector and local businesses.

The expansion of the ETA to non-European nationals follows the successful implementation of the ETA policy for Gulf Cooperation Council nationals in February 2024, which allowed over 243,000 Gulf nationals to visit the UK in the first half of 2024.

As part of the UK’s government reforms to its immigration policies, the ETA requirement will be extended to eligible European nationals from March 2, 2025, and become mandatory for travelers from April 2, 2025. This phased approach to rolling out new travel regulations aims to give eligible visitors ample time to apply for electronic authorization while also ensuring a smooth policy transition.

Exemptions and Restrictions

While the ETA requirement will be mandatory for non-European nationals, the U.K. government outlined several exemptions for:

• Those who have a visa.
• Those who have permission to live, work, or study in the U.K.
• British or Irish citizens.
• Those traveling with a British Overseas Territories citizen passport.
• Those living in Ireland and traveling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.

Apart from the exemptions, the U.K. government also specified restrictions for those traveling with an ETA. According to the new regulations, ETA holders are not allowed to stay in the U.K. for more than six months and engage in paid or unpaid work for a U.K. company.

Additionally, self-employment is prohibited, with exceptions for permitted paid engagements, events, or work under the Creative Worker visa concession. ETA holders are also prohibited from claiming benefits or living in the U.K. through frequent or successive visits.

The new policy also prohibits marriage, registration of a civil partnership, or giving notice of marriage or civil partnership by any ETA holder. Instead, a marriage visitor visa is required for these purposes.

Replacing Physical Immigration Documents with eVisas

While electronic travel authorization (ETA) is not regarded as a visa, it serves as digital permission to travel and replaces bulky paper-based immigration documents with eVisas.

The shift in the UK’s travel documentation will help alleviate common challenges associated with carrying physical documents, including theft, tampering, or cases of lost documents, enhancing the efficiency and security of border control.

According to the announcement, the new pre-travel authorization is part of the UK’s broader strategy to digitize border processes and the immigration system. The UK government has also introduced electronic visas (eVisas) for those looking to live and work in the country.

UK’s Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra MP, said the extension of the ETA represents a significant step towards having a border that’s efficient and fit to better serve visitors in the digital age as the country adapts to the post-pandemic world.

To ensure a seamless implementation, the UK government is working closely with the travel industry stakeholders, including maritime, airlines, and rail carriers.

Travelers can apply for an ETA through the U.K.’s ETA app within minutes and wait for a decision within three working days.