Travellers from 54 countries are now required to complete an online pre-travel check to enter the UK following the continued rollout of the country’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme.
From Wednesday (8 January) travellers from 48 non-European countries (those who previously did not require a visa for short-stay visits) – including the US, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore – will need to apply for an ETA before arriving in the UK.
The requirement will also extend to travellers from European countries from 2 April 2025, with applications for these travellers open from 5 March.
The ETA was first introduced in November 2023, initially for Qatari travellers, and has since been extended to travellers from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
The move to digitise the UK’s borders will require all visitors and transit passengers who do not currently need a visa – except British and Irish citizens – to obtain an ETA prior to arrival. Travellers who require a visa to enter the country will still need to obtain a valid visa but will not need an ETA as well.
The changes are expected to enhance border security and, according to UK law firm Kingsley Napley, will “level the playing field between visa and non-visa nationals coming to the UK” as all visitors will now have their criminal background checked prior to arrival.
Immigration law firm Fragomen also advised when an ETA is declined, the traveller will need to apply for a visa, “and that can take time,” said Kelly Chua, a director at the firm.
“Travellers might also find that airlines may not refund tickets should an ETA be refused,” Chua added.
Despite fears of potential travel “chaos” due to limited public awareness of the scheme, business travel insiders believe the industry is prepared.
“The UK isn’t the first to implement such a system – Australia, the US and Canada have had this in place for several years – and we expect the EU to eventually introduce a similar system in late 2025,” said Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association.
“As TMC’s adapt to these changes we urge corporate businesses to stay informed… many travellers might already be familiar with similar systems, such as the US ESTA, yet it’s crucial to note that anyone arriving without an ETA, even for transit, will be denied entry.”
Flight Centre-owned TMC Corporate Traveller believes the new entry rules are “unlikely to make any dent” in the growth rate of business travel to the UK.
Nevertheless, Corporate Traveller global managing director Tom Walley warned the changes will require more forward planning.
“While expected to improve border security processes, the new UK ETA changes the landscape of visa-free travel and requires more forward planning from travellers… I urge businesses that organise their own travel to stay informed about changing entry requirements for their 2025 travel destinations,” he said.
Similar to pre-travel checks required to enter the US, the ETA will be electronically linked to travellers’ passports and applications can be made through “a quick and simple process” online or via a dedicated app.
An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK (for stays of up to 6 months) over a period of two years.
The EU is also expected to implement its long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) sometime this year, followed by the Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
