img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-8::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-8{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-9::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-9{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-10::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-10{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-11::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-11{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-12::before{padding-top:46.97265625%; }img#mv-trellis-img-12{display:block;}Last Updated 18 seconds agoIf you’re planning on traveling to the United Kingdom in 2025 and you’re an American citizen, you should know that presenting a valid passport at the check-in counter no longer satisfies all the travel requirements:
From January 8, 2025 all U.S. passport holders will need to present a pre-approved travel permit when boarding UK-bound flights, called the Electronic Travel Authorization (or ETA), without which they’ll be denied entry.
As of November 27, 2024, applications are already open, so here’s everything you need to know:
What Is An ETA And Why Is The UK Introducing One?
The UK ETA is Britain’s new online travel authorization system, modeled after Australia’s, New Zealand’s, Canada’s, and the United States’ own ESTA, imposed on Europeans and most visa-exempt nationals coming to America.
The reason why you’ve never heard of ETAs, ESTAs, or whatever they want to call it previously, is because as an American citizen, you’ve been exempt from applying for them traveling to most countries worldwide.
For example, Canada has an ETA in place, but it exempts Americans from the requirement, and as you’re a citizen of the United States, you’re of course not expected to obtain travel authorization flying home to America.
What we’re trying to say is, ETAs are not new, you’ve just been lucky enough to evade them up until now.
If you’re wondering what exactly an ETA is, it is similar to an e-Visa, issued online and upon a quick background check, and they seem to be the new norm governing international travel, with a growing number of countries adhering to this policy.
Just this year, Thailand announced a similar entry permit, South Korea looks set to reintroduce their K-ETA from January, the European Union is gearing up for the release of its ETIAS (different acronym, same concept), and even Japan is currently preparing to launch by 2030.
Step-By-Step Guide To Get A UK ETA
Download The App
In the case of the UK, you’ll need to download the UK ETA app, available under this exact name on Android and iOS, or you may apply online, though that could take longer due to the need for verification of entered details––we’ll tell you why in a minute.
Once you download the app to your phone or digital device, the first step is to start a new application.
Add Email And Phone Number
As an American, you’re eligible to apply for a UK ETA if you hold a valid biometric passport, still in course of validity, and that has not suffered damage: the reason for that is that you will need a document in good condition to be scanned in the app.
As you follow the instructions on the app, the first step is to add a valid email and phone number.
Take A Photo Of Your Passport
Next, you’ll be required to take a photo of the passport information page, where your photo, personal details and identification number are located (needless to say, being in a well-lit area helps).
You cannot upload a photocopy, so make sure all four sides are visible, and no information is missing, though the app will let you know whether the photo meets their requirements.
Scan Your Biometric Data
The third step is the most fun one, as you’ll be asked to press the back of your phone against your passport front cover, and slide it down gently so the app can read the biometric information in the digital chip.
Similarly to the passport photo, the app will let you know whether this step was successful, or whether you need to try again.
Naturally, if you’re applying via desktop through the website, it may take longer for those information to be verified.
Say Cheese!
Once you’re done with validating your passport, you’ll be asked to take a selfie.
Once again, make sure you’re in a well-lit environment, no shadows are covering your face, and your features are perfectly visible, particularly eyes and outline of the face.
The app will notify you if the photo doesn’t satisfy their ID requirements.
Answer The Security Questions
Next come the security questions: make sure you read them carefully not to tick the wrong boxes, as they may lead to an ETA refusal.
Basically, British authorities want to know whether you’re of good character, and if you’ve been convicted of crimes in the past, and even then, these do not automatically entail a refusal… unless they’re related to terrorism and other grave offenses.
As it’s direct, close-ended questions, with options to tick ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, this is the quickest step, taking less than a minute, and if you have a clean record, you have nothing to worry about!
If, for some reason, you’re ineligible for an ETA, you will be expected to apply for a British visa at a Consulate, but once again, that’s only for very rare cases, and only if you’ve been convicted of a serious crime.
Pay For Your ETA
The final step is paying for your UK ETA, as it is of course not free: the current cost of a ETA is £10 (British pounds) or around US$12.68 at the current exchange rate, and you can pay using a credit or debit card, as well as Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Once payment is confirmed, you’ll receive a payment confirmation email informing the ETA is being processed, and a decision will be made within 3 working days (Monday to Friday).
This means it may take up to 72 hours for an ETA to be approved, so it’s very important that you do not leave applications until the very last minute, especially if you’re traveling to the UK over the weekend: you will not be allowed to board or enter the country unless you’ve obtained the permit.
Lucky for most, ETA approvals will be issued almost instantaneously, within seconds to minutes of applications, provided it’s a working day.
How To Use Your UK ETA
It is valid for 2 years, or until the associated passport expires, if it’s set to expire earlier, and it allows you travel to the United Kingdom as many times as you want, provided that each visit does not exceed 180 days.
You do not need to print the ETA confirmation email, nor present it at the check in counter or at border control, as staff will be able to access and verify your ETA details independently.
You need an ETA to travel or transit through the United Kingdom: even if it’s a short 1 or 2-hour layover in London, or less, you will not be permitted to board the aircraft unless you’ve paid for the permit.
It applies to all Americans traveling on planes, ferries, and trains arriving from mainland Europe, unless they are dual British or Irish citizens, or they hold a long-term residency visa for the United Kingdom.
In the case they’re dual British or Irish citizens, they must always use their British or Irish passports entering the UK to avoid being denied boarding, or refused entry at the border on a U.S. passport without a valid ETA.
You Can Stay In The UK For Up To 180 Days At A Time On An ETA
ETAs are valid for travel to all four constituent countries of the United Kingdom, namely England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as the Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and Isle of Man), as they are all part of Britain’s passport-free Common Travel Area.
It is not yet clear whether ETAs are required to enter other British territories worldwide, such as Gibraltar, in the south coast of Spain, or Akrotiri and Dhekelia on the Eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus.
ETAs can be used for tourism, on visits of up to 180 days at a time, to visit family and friends, do business, as well as pursue short-term study (courses of up to 6 months).
Paid permitted engagement is also authorized, as long as it takes place in the first 30 days of your visit, and if you’re in the creative work field, you may also come to the UK for work with an ETA for up to 3 months.
For any other category, you may be required to apply for a visa at a British Consulate.
If you need more information, you can check the official sources here.
Vinicius CostaVini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Source: traveloffpath.com
