Starting January 2025, Australians traveling to the UK will be required to complete a new form and pay an associated fee before their flight. This new requirement is the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), an online application that must be approved prior to boarding a flight to the UK.
The ETA is very similar to the USA's ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) and upcoming similar systems for Europe, Thailand, and Japan. It is a digital visa-waiver intended mainly for tourists and business visitors, not a substitute for a standard visa.
Currently mandatory for visitors from Gulf countries like Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, the UK ETA will be globally implemented in two phases. From the 8th of January 2025, most non-European travelers will need an ETA for UK entry, except those with an eVisa.
This includes citizens from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, who can apply starting 27 November 2024.
The ETA costs £10 ($19.66 Aus), payable by credit or debit card during the online application. It allows multiple entries into the UK for up to six months per visit, valid for two years or until the passport expires.
Most European nationals will require an ETA from the 2nd of April 2025.
Applications for the UK ETA can be made online via the UK Government website or through the UK ETA app for Apple and Android devices.
The process requires submitting contact and passport information, a valid digital photo, answering a questionnaire, and paying the £10 fee with a credit or debit card.
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