The United Kingdom has expanded its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) program to include travelers from the United States, Canada, and Australia, as part of efforts to enhance border security.
The ETA system, which took effect Wednesday, allows eligible visitors to enter the UK with pre-travel authorization, according to AFP. The program, first introduced in 2023 with Qatar, costs £10 and permits stays of up to six months within a two-year period.
In 2023, the scheme expanded to cover citizens from five Gulf countries. It now includes visitors from 50 additional nations, such as Argentina, Brazil, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and several Caribbean territories. Applications for these new countries opened last November, with travelers able to apply through an app.
By April, the UK government plans to extend the program to European Union countries and other territories. From March 5, travelers from these regions will also be eligible to apply for ETAs.
British and Irish citizens, as well as residents and passport holders from British overseas territories, remain exempt from the program. The system also does not alter visa requirements for countries like China and South Africa, which already require visas for UK entry.
London’s Heathrow Airport has criticized the scheme, claiming it has reduced transit passenger numbers, making the UK “less competitive” and impacting economic growth.
The UK’s ETA system draws parallels with the European Union’s upcoming ETIAS program, set to launch later this year. The EU’s version will apply to visa-exempt nationals visiting 30 countries, including the UK, and will cost €7 for three years.
The United States, Canada, and Australia account for around six million annual visitors to the UK, making this expansion a significant development for tourism and travel.
