ETA required to enter GB as of January 8 2025

[Marbe2]

I read this today. Seems to be required even if transiting?

If you're a U.S. citizen planning to transit through the UK (London) or enter the UK for short-term stays (tourism, business, etc.), you'll need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) starting January 8, 2025

 

[Corned Beef]

Guidance says it can take up to three working days.

Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

Information on who can get an ETA and how to apply before coming to the UK.

www.gov.uk

 

[Vacajoe]

It took me 5 minutes to complete the electronic form in the app and then 12 minutes to receive my approval. My wife’s approval literally came one minute after submission. Very simple and fast process for us. $13-$14 usd

 

[astcal]

government BS! a way to squeeze money from people with no representation. I will bet you the price will go up constantly and nobody who pay for it can do a damn thing!

I just completed the application and I don't see any value in terms of helping UK national security. Total nonsense.

 

[Bradypus]

UK is a poor country but this is a new low.

The system is very closely modelled on similar systems for other countries. UK citizens and many others have been required to make a similar ESTA application and pay for approval to enter the US for about 15 years. Why is it so unacceptable for another country to implement a system which your own has been using for years?

 

[Kathor1]

Why is it so unacceptable for another country to implement a system which your own has been using for years?

Perhaps people don't even know that their own country has an electronic travel authorisation system for foreign travellers because they themselves, not being foreign travellers to their own country, do not have to apply, and never had to apply in the past, for an ESTAS (USA) or eTA (Canada) or ETA/eVisitor (Australia) or now ETA (UK)?

Let's concentrate on the practical aspects of the UK's ETA system. Apparently those US nationals who have already applied in recent days for a UK ETA for visiting the UK visa-free for a duration of up to 6 months or for transiting the UK on their way to Spain and elsewhere had no problems whatsoever and there was next to no delay between online application and receiving the authorisation.

As far as I can make out, it may take a little longer when your personal data give rise to some security concerns and need to be checked - which will not be the case for the overwhelming majority of Camino peregrin@s.

 

[Kathor1]

It took me 5 minutes to complete the electronic form in the app and then 12 minutes to receive my approval. My wife’s approval literally came one minute after submission. Very simple and fast process for us.

Thanks for this feedback. Yesterday, forum member @Dave reported a similar short delay between online application and receiving approval. Quote:

"I submitted it at 7:17am this morning, was warned that it can take a couple weeks, but I received the [UK ETA] at 7:38am."​

 

[Kathor1]

Bear in mind that an electronic travel authorisation is not a visa, even when travellers call it a visa or insist that it is a visa.

Rule of thumb: ETA or ESTA is for travellers who can travel visa free. e-Visa (in countries where it exists) is for travellers who must travel with a visa; in this case, the visa is issued in electronic form and not as a visa sticker.

Cost and duration: For the USA, it is $21 and two years or until passport expires if earlier. For the UK, it is £10 [=$12.50] and two years or until passport expires if earlier.

Nice touch: The USA requires a payment of $4 even when your application for an electronic travel authorisation is refused in the end, and you have to pay the full fee of $21 only when the authorisation is granted.

 

[SYates]

...

I just completed the application and I don't see any value in terms of helping UK national security. Total nonsense.

Actually it gives the government plenty of time to check people ot that plan to travel to their country. Your intent to travel in the future is now in their system, that your ETA was granted doesn't mean that there will not be further checks ...
BC SY

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Well clearly it's now the second because you just mentioned it.

 

[Marbe2]

Does ETA charge seniors the fee? Asking because ETIAS proposal waves the application fee for seniors. Though I personally try to avoid GB as a transit point, I likely will apply to have flexibility while traveling in Europe,

 

[TravellingMan22]

Does ETA charge seniors the fee? Asking because ETIAS proposal waves the application fee for seniors. Though I personally try to avoid GB as a transit point, I likely will apply to have flexibility while traveling in Europe,

I believe seniors have to pay.

Having applied for and used ETAs or their equivalents in USA, Canada and Australia in the last year, they have been a huge step forward when reaching border control. Much smoother. I applied for an Australia ETA last week and the process could not be smoother with instant conformation. Hopefully the EU version will replicate. I expect border control to be automated and very quick and easy.

 

[Marbe2]

I believe seniors have to pay.

Having applied for and used ETAs or their equivalents in USA, Canada and Australia in the last year, they have been a huge step forward when reaching border control. Much smoother. I applied for an Australia ETA last week and the process could not be smoother with instant conformation. Hopefully the EU version will replicate. I expect border control to be automated and very quick and easy.

Can one get ETA approval without a specific travel date? App asks for date of travel?

 

[TravellingMan22]

Can one get ETA approval without a specific travel date? App asks for date of travel?

I don’t know but I would have thought so as it is effectively a multi entry travel document. I.e it is authorisation for travel to UK for a 2 year travel period as many times as you wish, within the rules. Certainly has not been an issue for USA, Canada and Australia. I got an Australian one a few days back and it is valid for one year from the date of approval. I don’t think I specified a travel date as I am not sure what date I will enter yet! Just enter during the validity period.

 

[Kathor1]

Does ETA charge seniors the fee? Asking because ETIAS proposal waves the application fee for seniors.

It's all on their websites:

• UK ETA - Quote: ... costs £10 to apply. Everyone travelling needs to get an ETA, including babies and children. See How much it costs on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta#how-much-it-costs
  
  
• USA ESTA: ... $21... website if full of all sorts of information. I can't find an exception for babies and minors let alone any mention of senior citizens being exempt from this fee.
  
  
• (Future) EU ETIAS - Quote: ... a fee of EUR 7. Applicants who are under 18 or over 70 years of age are exempt from this payment. See Fees and Payment on https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en.
  
  Awwhh, these EU communist softies ...

 

[Tincatinker]

The UK government has only introduced the ETA because they needed to create work for the huge surplus of Border Control agents. And, naturally, because everyone else had a similar system and we didn’t want to look backward.

 

[Corned Beef]

government BS! a way to squeeze money from people with no representation. I will bet you the price will go up constantly and nobody who pay for it can do a damn thing!

I just completed the application and I don't see any value in terms of helping UK national security. Total nonsense.

BS you say. Think of it as a charge to use the washroom as you pass through.

 

[Kathor1]

Can one get ETA approval without a specific travel date? App asks for date of travel?

If you're a U.S. citizen planning to transit through the UK (London) or enter the UK for short-term stays (tourism, business, etc.), you'll need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) starting January 8, 2025

Enter 8 January 2025. You will be prepared for all eventualities and can travel to the UK or transit a UK airport at the drop of your hat. Your UK ETA will be valid for two years until 7 January 2027.

It says so at the start of the app, see today's screenshot of the app's display on my iPhone:

 

[DavidFoxIreland]

At the risk of getting political this is a consequence of the UK leaving the EU. They’re ’taking back control’ which they always had anyway. I travel back and forth to the US a couple of times a year and the ESTA system has been in place as long as I can remember. It certainly beats having to get a visa. Count your blessings, folks!

 

[Kathor1]

At the risk of getting political this is a consequence of the UK leaving the EU. They’re ’taking back control’ which they always had anyway. I travel back and forth to the US a couple of times a year and the ESTA system has been in place as long as I can remember. It certainly beats having to get a visa. Count your blessings, folks!

Just want to say that I totally agree, especially to the "count your blessings, folks" part and also that your comment is not political but historical.

I know that I had heard of the EU's ETIAS before I had heard of the UK's ETA and I wanted to check the timeline and context. Yep, definitely a Brexit / Conservative Party context, and at first it sounded to me as if it would only apply to us EU-ers but they obviously have cast their net wider and include all the nationalities who benefit from their visa waiver program. And it is definitely modelled after the US ESTA system.

For history buffs , from the BBC website, anno 2019: "The Conservatives say they would also introduce an American-style visa waiver scheme, called Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which travellers would have to obtain before reaching the UK border."

It is odd to think that this is history and I lived while history happened.

General election 2019: Tory plan to improve border security after Brexit

Automated exit and entrance checks at the border are included in the party's proposals.

bbc.com

 

[Marbe2]

So I need a little help with uploading PP and photo. I have tried sending multiple shots of PP, with only data section as requested. Not working. Also measurements on USA passport is different than request on GB ETA photo measurments? Now what? how do I het a photo to conform to these specs?

 

[John Crawford Howell]

Americans are a tad spoiled. (We) seem imbued with a certain sense we can travel the world at will and that we should not have to have restrictions. Ha! I remember what it was like to get a visa to travel to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait; a work permit in Germany; and permission to live in the Philippines, then Singapore. The USA has rules; other countries have rules. Surely, we can just smile and go with the flow.

 

[Vacajoe]

Bear in mind that an electronic travel authorisation is not a visa, even when travellers call it a visa or insist that it is a visa.

Rule of thumb: ETA or ESTA is for travellers who can travel visa free. e-Visa (in countries where it exists) is for travellers who must travel with a visa; in this case, the visa is issued in electronic form and not as a visa sticker.

Cost and duration: For the USA, it is $21 and two years or until passport expires if earlier. For the UK, it is £10 [=$12.50] and two years or until passport expires if earlier.

Nice touch: The USA requires a payment of $4 even when your application for an electronic travel authorisation is refused in the end, and you have to pay the full fee of $21 only when the authorisation is granted.

$12.50 would be a deal! The UK gov is quite good at requiring you to pay in your own country’s currency online and then utilizing the worst conversion rate they can find.

For the ETA, it will likely be over $13. Yes, that’s a minuscule increase but I want folks to understand that the price will be more than they expect if looking at bank rates. Feel sorry for those who having to pay for actual visas and getting terrible conversion rates on bills over $5,000usd!

 

[Vacajoe]

So I need a little help with uploading PP and photo. I have tried sending multiple shots of PP, with only data section as requested. Not working. Also measurements on USA passport is different than request on GB ETA photo measurments? Now what? how do I het a photo to conform to these specs?

It’s a landscape photo of your passport page that includes your photo and data. They show you an example when they ask for it, so it’s very clear what they want. Does your submitted photo have glare on it? Out of focus? Include the surface it was sitting on or have your fingers obscuring the edges?

There is a second “live” photo that will also be requested and it’s similar to a photo used to secure a passport but it has to be taken at the moment, not as a photo of a photo. That process is also simple as they give you clear directions and include a digital circle on the screen where you need to position your head.

 

[Vacajoe]

Can one get ETA approval without a specific travel date? App asks for date of travel?

It’s good for two years after approval for as many travel dates you have over that time. You do not need any plans when you apply.

 

[NerdGjerd]

@Kathor1 I appreciate your patience and knowledge and work reading through this and so many other policy related issues that affect us. Thank you!

 

[Kathor1]

Perhaps useful to clarify for a discussion of any issue with the UK ETA application: Did you use the UK ETA online application method or did you use the UK ETA app on your smartphone?

The two methods are different. Gov.uk appears to favour the app. On their website, they ask you about three times whether you really cannot use the app ...

And I guess that everybody has a biometric passport. You know that you have a biometric passport when you see the symbol for its chip on the cover:

 

[NerdGjerd]

Took me a few minutes to complete. The approval email came within one minute.

I used the iOS app and could not get the phone to connect to the chip several times. (With phone case off as directed) So I tried the “skip” choice to get past that, and it worked fine.

I was not asked for date of travel anywhere.

Flying through Heathrow in March. Fingers crossed.

 

[Kathor1]

So I need a little help with uploading PP and photo. I have tried sending multiple shots of PP, with only data section as requested. Not working. Also measurements on USA passport is different than request on GB ETA photo measurments? Now what? how do I het a photo to conform to these specs?

@Marbe2, don't you have a smartphone? It may be much easier to use the app on a phone.

It is not easy for me to understand what you mean by "measurements on USA passport is different than request on GB ETA photo measurements". My guess is that you see a message like the one below (screenshot). If so, there is nothing wrong with the measurements of your photo in centimetres or inches. The issue is the resolution of your photo in pixels; it may be too low.

Use the app on a smartphone. It is very easy and there is no need to "upload" photos. The app does everything for you.

 

[Marbe2]

@Marbe2, don't you have a smartphone? It may be much easier to use the app on a phone.

It is not easy for me to understand what you mean by "measurements on USA passport is different than request on GB ETA photo measurements". My guess is that you see a message like the one below (screenshot). If so, there is nothing wrong with the measurements of your photo in centimetres or inches. The issue is the resolution of your photo in pixels; it may be too low.

Use the app on a smartphone. It is very easy and there is no need to "upload" photos. The app does everything for you.

View attachment 183213

I am using the App UK ETA App that was sent to me by ETA. I paid but they rejected the photos and asked me to upload again! I have an older Iphone 11. With this pixel quality
1792x828 and density of 328. I have never had a problem uploading any info during covid or on UA.

 

[Marbe2]

@Marbe2, don't you have a smartphone? It may be much easier to use the app on a phone.

It is not easy for me to understand what you mean by "measurements on USA passport is different than request on GB ETA photo measurements". My guess is that you see a message like the one below (screenshot). If so, there is nothing wrong with the measurements of your photo in centimetres or inches. The issue is the resolution of your photo in pixels; it may be too low.

Use the app on a smartphone. It is very easy and there is no need to "upload" photos. The app does everything for you.

View attachment 183213

Thanks, I discovered early this morning, after sending many photos that they accepted the PP and Personal photo. I must have send 10 personal pics alone, and re-shot twenty which I knew would have slightly been out of the margins. Anyway, it finally accepted both and now I am waiting for final approval. Now I will do my sisters, which should be easier! Thanks! I have discovered on-line that there are a number of folks, maybe not on this forum, who are also having difficulty with the photos..

 

[Jeff Crawley]

government BS! a way to squeeze money from people with no representation. I will bet you the price will go up constantly and nobody who pay for it can do a damn thing!

I just completed the application and I don't see any value in terms of helping UK national security. Total nonsense.

Quite right too! I fully agree with your view. No taxation without representation. It worked out for you in 1776 and no doubt will do so again!
If needed I shall stand fully behind any attempts to prevent you from entering the UK - let's see what the government and their ETA thinks about that!

 

[WGroleau]

The system is very closely modelled on similar systems for other countries. UK citizens and many others have been required to make a similar ESTA application and pay for approval to enter the US for about 15 years. Why is it so unacceptable for another country to implement a system which your own has been using for years?

Not very close to the US model. Give them your life history (took me twenty minutes plus to fill out the form), and only after that did they tell me that to finish the process I would have to travel to another city for an in-person interview. Fortunately, I hadn't yet been swindled out of the $85 fee, so I deleted the form and quit. And is it really worth anything? I took a photo of a sign in JFK saying that the waiting time with was five minutes, and the waiting time without was … five minutes.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Not very close to the US model. Give them your life history (took me twenty minutes plus to fill out the form), and only after that did they tell me that to finish the process I would have to travel to another city for an in-person interview. Fortunately, I hadn't yet been swindled out of the $85 fee, so I deleted the form and quit. And is it really worth anything? I took a photo of a sign in JFK saying that the waiting time with was five minutes, and the waiting time without was … five minutes.

$85? 20 minutes?

 

[trecile]

$85? 20 minutes?

And travel to another city for an interview???

Sounds more like applying for Global Entry in the US, though that costs $120. Nothing to do with a US ESTA or a UK ETA.

 

[Kathor1]

Not very close to the US model. Give them your life history (took me twenty minutes plus to fill out the form), and only after that did they tell me that to finish the process I would have to travel to another city for an in-person interview. Fortunately, I hadn't yet been swindled out of the $85 fee, so I deleted the form and quit. And is it really worth anything? I took a photo of a sign in JFK saying that the waiting time with was five minutes, and the waiting time without was … five minutes.

Whatever you are talking about, you are not talking about the topic of this thread.

The topic of this thread is: Applying, as a US national or in fact as a Canadian or Australian national and several other nationalities in the same category, in 2025, for a UK government issued ETA to travel to the UK on transit to starting a Camino in Spain, Portugal or France.

And, as a minor subtopic, that the UK's ETA system is closely modelled on similar systems for other countries such as the USA's ESTA system which has been in place since August 2008 and mandatory since January 2009.

To check this minor but related point, I just applied for a USA ESTA for transit. It took me not more than 10 minutes to scan my passport data page, confirm the scanned in data, click a few other buttons and presto, I was on the "Pay now" button. And when I clicked on the "Pay now" button, I was asked to pay $21.

No surprise there, this has been mentioned already a few times in one form or another in this thread.

What has not yet been mentioned: If you are a Canadian passport holder, you do not need to apply for a USA ESTA and therefore you may never have encountered any of this. As a Canadian national, you do have to apply for a UK ETA though.

So the topic is: Are you planning to travel to the UK or transit the UK in the near future in 2025 or in 2026? Are you eligible for a UK ETA? Did you use the UK ETA app and had any problems with it? That's where the focus is. Or ought to be.

 

[WGroleau]

$85? 20 minutes?

Maybe longer. Was a LOT of information. But wait, I guess I'm confusing topics. OP asked about UK ETA which I suppose is like the US ESTA. I was talking about a program that allegedly gets one through security faster.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Maybe longer. Was a LOT of information. But wait, I guess I'm confusing topics. OP asked about UK ETA which I suppose is like the US ESTA. I was talking about a program that allegedly gets one through security faster.

Ok no worries! Different topic I guess. Yes the various approvals for USA, Canada and Australia are quick and cheap for the vast majority!

Normally helps at Border Control though arrived at Melbourne 2 hrs ago and was pretty chaotic as about 10 plane loads arriving at same time and lack of clarity around who should use kiosks and who should go to agent. So whatever the upfront ease, you need people and signage on the ground!