Travelers from the United States, Canada and dozens of other countries who do not require visas to enter the United Kingdom will now need to apply for digital authorization in order to visit or transit through the country. The electronic travel authorization, called ETA and linked to a traveler’s passport, costs 10 pounds, or around $13, and lasts two years. It will eventually apply to all visa-exempt travelers wishing to visit the United Kingdom, including those from the European Union. Travelers connecting through airports in the United Kingdom who have final destinations elsewhere will also need to apply for ETA, though this policy is currently under review. The ETA system is part of a mission to “deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system” that will enhance border security, according to a news release from the British Home Office.

Source: The Times January 08, 2025 10:13 UTC