Following in the footsteps of Europe’s Schengen Area, which has recently announced that, starting from next year, Americans will have to apply for a paid travel permit before entering, the United Kingdom has also confirmed it will be bringing in its own entry fee.
For years now, Americans have been able to fly to London mostly unchecked, including upon arrival, where they can simply scan their way in without additional questioning, as if they’re British citizens themselves, but soon enough this will (partly) change.
From January 2025, if you’re a U.S. passport holder, you haven’t paid for an ETA, and British authorities haven’t given you the all-clear, you’ll be categorically refused entry:
What Is The U.K. ETA?
An ETA (or ESTA, ETIAS, depending on how different countries call them) are effectively eVisas applying to travelers who are exempt from tougher identity and background checks, and normally do not require a traditional, Consulate-issued visa to travel.
It typically involves filling out a form, where you’ll be asked to provide your biometric information, such as full name and passport number, and answer a series of questions pertaining to your private life, occupation and travel purposes.
They might come across as intrusive to some, but these are filled out within 20 to 30 minutes, and once the file is submitted and the associated fee is paid, you can expect a travel authorization to be issued to your email in the following minutes, hours or days.
ETAs have become increasingly popular in recent years since Western nations started making use of the system to better assess the character of foreigners crossing their borders, the United States included: since 2008, most Europeans have been required to apply for one ahead of traveling.
Throughout this period, however, European countries––the United Kingdom included––had refrained from imposing the same requirement on Americans; well, as of 2025, that one-way street generosity will officially cease.
Do Not Attempt To Fly To The U.K. From January 8 Without A Travel Permit
On January 8, Britain’s ETA system will finally go live, and Americans will no longer be permitted to fly to the country passport in hand only.
They could try, but chances are they’ll be denied boarding at their point of departure in America or elsewhere––it doesn’t matter where you’re flying from––and in the unlikely case they do manage to sneak their way to the U.K. border without a valid permit, they’ll be unceremoniously refused entry.
There is bound to be a grace period, when U.K. authorities are likely to issue warnings to first-time visitors who weren’t aware of the change in rules, but we don’t have yet confirmation whether this will be the case, so save the date not to get caught on the wrong side of the law.
Having a refused entry anywhere is not something you want to have in your travel History, so here is how you should go about it:
How To Successfully Submit An ETA Application
The platform to apply for a U.K. ETA is available on this link, and you’re advised to submit your application before January 8 if you plan on visiting the U.K. throughout the course of 2025; applications will open from November 27.
Based on the information available, this means you may still travel without an ETA between now and January 7, but not from January 8 onward.
So what can you expect from the application process?
In your application form, answer all the questions carefully but truthfully, as any wrong ticks on the wrong box could result in your ETA being refused, and if you think applying for ETAs is bad, wait until you’re forced to request a proper visa (but we’ll get to that).
Once you’ve completed the form, and uploaded all the necessary information, you’ll have to answer a number of security questions pertaining to your intentions as a visitor to the United Kingdom: it sounds scary, but as long as you’re not, hem, a terrorist, you should be good to go.
You’ll then be redirected to the payment page, where you’ll be requested to provide your credit card details––or other information if you’re using an alternative payment method––to pay for the £10 fee (roughly $13).
Once payment is processed, your application will be sent for reviewing, and as an American citizen––what we like to call a low-risk traveler who’s likely not attempting to migrate and work illegally in Britain––you should be issued your ETA in no time.
How Long Is A U.K. ETA Valid For?
A U.K. ETA is valid for 2 years, or while your passport remains valid, meaning you will need to reapply at the end of the 2-year period, or if your passport has expired in the meantime, and it allows you to visit the U.K. for up to 6 months upon each entry.
It is valid for trips to any of the countries and territories participating in the United Kingdom, namely England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as the British Crown Dependencies: the idyllic Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
It has not been confirmed whether ETAs will be required to access other overseas British territories, like Gibraltar, located on the south coast of Spain, Akrotiri and Dhekelia, on the island of Cyprus, or even the Falkland Islands off the coast of Argentina.
There are certain categories of foreign citizens who will be exempt from applying, and these are:
- Those who hold a valid residency visa for the United Kingdom
- Holders of British and Irish passports
- Holders of British Overseas Territories passports who are not full citizens
Naturally, unless you’re a high-ranking American with an official or diplomatic passport, you don’t fit the exemption criteria, so get in line.
Pardon us, in the queue.
Is There Any Chance The U.K. ETA Could Be A Bogus Story?
If you’re wondering whether this is just another bogus ETA story of the kind mainstream media has been banging on about for years now, yet never realizes, we’d advise you to think long and hard before making a decision you might regret:
I.e., an attempt to enter the U.K. without prior clearance.
Unlike the European Union’s long-delayed ETIAS, which looks set to come to fruition from 2025, following the introduction of the associated Entry-Exit System that will see Americans get fingerprinted as early as this coming November, Britain’s ETA is already up and running.
It’s not available to all nationalities it is meant to apply to yet, but it has already been rolled out, and it currently impacts passport holders from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
As we have noted already, the rollout has been gradual, and Americans are the next ones up on January 8, followed by Europeans on April 2, 2025.
Happy days.
U.K. authorities remind us each and every U.S. traveler must have their own ETA, even if you’re traveling in pairs or groups, including children of any age, and if you’re due to fly on February 15, 2025, for example, don’t send in your application one day early only on February 14.
Responses are given within at least three business days, and unless you have that PDF proving you have been given authorization to board your U.K. bound flight, all you’ll be getting from the check-in lady is a shrug and a sorry look.
Canadians, Australians, the Japanese, and other foreign nationals will also be expected to produce a valid ETA from January 8.
How Is An ETA Different From A Visa?
You might be wondering how an ETA is different from a visa, so allow us to explain further.
Let’s take a Congolese or South African traveler, for instance: in order to fly to the United Kingdom, they cannot simply book a flight, show up at their preferred airport of departure, and hope for the best––they must have applied for a visa at a British mission beforehand.
The visa-issuing process is an arduous one, involving visits to the Consulate, interviews, stacks upon stacks of papers and expensive fees––far pricier than an ETA––and even then, it’s not a guarantee they will issue you a visa unless you pass those checks with flying colors.
Yep, even after you’ve paid a non-refundable $205 visa fee.
While an ETA is a minor hassle, especially if you’re not a fan of bureaucracy––who is?––you should be relieved you don’t need an actual visa to travel to Britain.
ETAs are a completely-online affair, they’re easy to fill out and quite cheap in comparison, and unless you’ve been identified as a public security threat, you’ll get issued one almost immediately.
We’re not trying to gaslight you into thinking this is actually good news, but hey, we gotta Always Look On The Bright Side of Life, to quote British comedy icons Monty Python’s 1979 classic.
Remember: applications for Americans go live November 27.
Credit: Source link
