Australians will soon need to apply for permission to enter the UK.
All travellers who do not require a UK visa will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arriving abroad from April 2025.
The move is an extension of a scheme first launched last November that requires citizens of countries that do not require a UK visa to obtain an ETA.
On Wednesday, the UK government announced that the scheme would be expanded to include travellers from non-European countries, including Australia.
Applications for an ETA will open on November 27, 2024, but travel will not be required until January 8, 2025.
From April 2025, all visitors, including children, will need an ETA to travel to the UK.
The ETA will cost £10 (A$20) each and allows the holder to make multiple trips to the UK for up to six months at a time over two years.
Visitors can apply for an ETA on the UK ETA application and once approved (usually within three working days), the document is linked to the traveller’s passport.
Australian travellers who do not need a UK visa will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arriving overseas from April 2025 (file image)
Applications for an ETA will open on November 27, 2024, but travel will not be required until January 8, 2025. All travelers will need an ETA by April 2025 (file image)
British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA to enter the UK.
Immigration and Citizenship Minister Seema Malhotra said the move would improve security and modernize immigration in line with the United States and Australia.
He said the new process “will allow for a seamless experience for the millions of people who cross the border each year.”
Australia requires British passport holders to obtain an electronic travel authorization; the authorization itself is free, but there is a $20 fee to use the app to obtain it.
The authorization ticket is digitally attached to the passport and is obtained through an application.
A UK authorisation costs £10 ($19.66 as of Wednesday) and allows travel to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time for two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
More to come.
