The UK has imposed mandatory travel permit requirements for all EU passport holders, including babies and children.
Starting today, April 2, 2025, all EU nationals must hold an ETA (European Travel Authorization) in order to be permitted entry into the UK, VisaGuide.World reports.
The requirement for an ETA already applies to all the other foreign nationals who are eligible for visa-free travel to the UK, including Americans, Canadians, and Australians, among others. EU nationals are the last to join the list.
Eligible Europeans will need an ETA to travel from April 2, 2025.
The ETA replaces the Electronic Visa Waiver scheme and with the latest addition, it now applies to all travelers exempt from visa requirements when entering the UK for short stays.
Keeping this in mind, ETA is not a visa. The document only authorizes a person who already enjoys visa-free status to travel to the UK.
By making the ETA requirement mandatory for all travelers exempt from visa requirements, the UK aims to ensure strengthened border controls and prevent the abuse of the immigration system by travelers who do not meet the rules.
Application Process, Fee & Other Details
The application for an ETA can be made through the UK ETA mobile app or the official website of the UK government for those who do not have access to a smartphone.
As the authorities have noted, the application process is very quick and simple. To complete the ETA application, travelers need to have their passport on hand, provide their email address, a form a pay for the fee, and answer a set of questions.
Once this process has been completed, applicants will receive a confirmation to their email and they will no longer need the app on their phone as their travel permit will be linked to their passport digitally.
At the moment, applicants receive an automatic decision on their application minutes after submitting their request.
However, the UK government notes that three days should be given for this process to be completed.
You will usually get a decision within three working days. Most people get a much quicker decision. Occasionally, it may take longer than three working days.
Once issued, the ETA will remain valid for a period of two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
During this two-year period, ETA holders will be eligible to take multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time.
The ETA fee currently is £10 (around $13 at the time of publication). However, this will change at the end of this week as the UK has decided to hike the fee to £16 ($20) starting April 9, 2025.