Travellers must take an extra step before visiting the United Kingdom in the new year.
Canadian travellers must have a new travel document for trips to the United Kingdom starting in the new year.
The U.K. government has introduced a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for travellers visiting or transiting through the country on or after Jan. 8, 2025. The travel document is available to visa-exempt passport holders, including residents of Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, and other non-European countries, according to a press release.
The ETA is valid for multiple trips over two years or until your passport expires. The document is attached to your passport, meaning you must get a new one if your old passport expires. It is not a visa but a “digital permission to travel.”
The U.K. government says the new ETA program is part of its “effort to deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system, and aligns with the approach many other countries—including Canada—have taken to border security.”
Travellers with ETAs can stay in the U.K. for up to six months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study. They can also stay up to three months on the Creative Worker visa concession (valid temporary work permit). Travellers may also use the ETA for permitted paid engagements.
How do I apply for the ETA?
Travellers must download an app to get the ETA and have a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. The document costs £10. This process is similar to the one Brits must take before visiting Canada.
They must have the valid passport they plan to travel with to upload into the app (not a photocopy or digital passport). They must also upload a photo of themselves.
Travellers don’t need to enter specific details of their trips (such as dates of places they plan to stay) when they apply for the ETA. However, they will be asked to answer some personal questions.
Applicants should receive an email about the status of their ETA within three days. It will be electronically linked to the passport they applied with.
Visitors can also apply on GOV.UK if they do not have access to a smartphone.
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