All visitors to the UK, except British and Irish citizens, will need to apply for permission to travel to the country from 2025.
The Government has confirmed that non-European citizens will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from 8 January 2025. Applications for the ETAs will open on 27 November 2024.
Eligible Europeans will need an ETA from 2 April 2025. They can apply from 5 March 2025.
An ETA costs £10 and is valid for up to two years, or until the visitor’s passport expires, whichever is soonest.
They allow multiple visits for the UK for stays of up to six months.
The Government said that as they are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport they will ensure ‘more robust’ security checks are carried out before people begin their journey to the UK, ‘helping to prevent abuse of our immigration system’.
It added: “From today, information about ETA eligibility is available on GOV.UK. Anyone needing to apply for an ETA will be able to do so through a quick and simple process using the UK ETA app.”
Gulf Cooperation Council visitors already need an ETA to travel to the UK.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship Seema Malhotra, said: “Digitisation enables a smooth experience for the millions of people who pass through the border every year, including the visitors we warmly welcome to the UK who are predicted to contribute over £32billion to our tourism economy this year.
“The worldwide expansion of the ETA demonstrates our commitment to enhance security through new technology and embedding a modern immigration system.”
The full list of eligible nationalities for ETAs is available here on GOV.UK