The UK government has introduced this requirement to enhance border security and streamline the entry process for millions of travellers each year.
What is the ETA?
The ETA is a digital pre-travel authorisation linked to an applicant’s passport. It enables short visits to the UK without the need for a visa. The ETA is valid for two years or until the associated passport expires, allowing multiple journeys during its validity.
An ETA costs £10 and permits stays of up to six months at a time. The application process is straightforward and can be completed via the UK ETA mobile app or the UK government’s official website.
Applicants must provide passport details, contact information, and answers to security-related questions. Decisions are typically made within hours.
Who needs an ETA?
From today, all eligible non-European travellers who do not require a visa for short stays must apply for an ETA before arriving in the UK. This includes tourists, business travellers, and crucially, lorry drivers. British and Irish citizens are exempt from the ETA requirement.
Eligible European nationals will be required to apply for an ETA starting 5 March 2025, with enforcement beginning 2 April 2025.
The introduction of the ETA marks a significant shift in the UK’s border control policies, with similar systems already implemented for Gulf Cooperation Council nationals earlier in 2024. Over 243,000 ETAs were issued to Gulf nationals during this period, demonstrating the system’s scalability and ease of use.
The move aligns with broader trends in international travel authorisation, as the EU plans to implement its own European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). Like the ETA, the ETIAS will apply to visa-exempt nationals entering EU countries for short stays. However, the EU has not yet confirmed the exact launch date for ETIAS, stating it will be introduced in mid-2025.
Caution: Hauliers are not excluded
Hauliers, including lorry drivers, are not exempt from the ETA requirement. This means EU lorry drivers entering the UK will need to secure an ETA before travelling. Similarly, UK lorry drivers will need to apply for an ETIAS to enter the EU once the system becomes operational.
For more details on the ETA, travellers can visit the UK Home Office website or download the UK ETA app from major app stores.