UK Implements New Electronic Travel Authorization for US Visitors

- The UK's ETA is a digital permission for travel, not a visa, and costs £16 per applicant. It is valid for two years, allowing for multiple visits of up to six months at a time, or until the holder's passport expires. - The application is processed online or through the "UK ETA" app, and while most decisions are delivered within minutes, the official advice is to apply at least three working days before travel. Travelers without a confirmed ETA will be denied boarding by their airline or carrier. - Full enforcement of the ETA requirement for all visa-exempt nationals, including those from the US and EU, began on February 25, 2026. The program was introduced in phases, starting with Qatari citizens in late 2023 and expanding to other nations throughout 2024 and 2025. - The system is part of a broader government strategy to digitize the UK border, enhance security by pre-screening travelers, and create a more efficient immigration process. Between its launch in October 2023 and September 2025, the UK issued 19.6 million ETAs. - This travel authorization model is similar to systems used by other countries, including the United States' own ESTA program and Australia's eVisitor. The European Union also plans to launch a comparable system, the ETIAS, in late 2026. - While an ETA is required for entry into any part of the UK, legal residents of Ireland who are from a visa-exempt nationality (such as US citizens) do not need an ETA when traveling directly from within the Common Travel Area (Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man). - British and Irish citizens are exempt from needing an ETA. This includes dual British citizens, who are now expected to use their British passport to avoid travel disruptions, as carriers must verify permission to travel digitally.