UK Introduces Mandatory Travel Permit for European Visitors
Starting Wednesday, European nationals traveling to the United Kingdom will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entry. The UK government has implemented this policy as part of efforts to enhance border security and digitize immigration control.
The ETA, similar to the U.S. ESTA system, allows short-term visits of up to six months and remains valid for two years. It applies to all travelers, including minors and infants. The application process can be completed via a smartphone app or the UK government’s official website, with most approvals granted within minutes. However, the Home Office advises submitting applications up to three working days in advance.
Initially priced at £10 (12 euros), the cost will increase to £16 from April 9. The new regulation applies to nationals from approximately 30 European countries, excluding Ireland, and follows a phased rollout that initially included travelers from the U.S., Canada, and other visa-exempt nations in January.
“By digitizing the immigration system, we are paving the way for a contactless UK border,” Migration Minister Seema Malhotra stated. “Expanding the ETA requirement globally reinforces our commitment to strengthening security through technology and innovation.”
To obtain an ETA, travelers must upload a digital photo of their passport and face, with the approved authorization electronically linked to their passport, eliminating the need for a physical document. Passengers transiting airside without crossing the UK border are exempt, a decision influenced by lobbying from Heathrow Airport to maintain transit passenger numbers. Currently, only Heathrow and Manchester airports offer airside transit facilities in the UK.
The ETA scheme was initially introduced in 2023 for Qatari nationals before expanding to five additional Gulf states. In January 2025, it was extended to travelers from around 50 countries, including Argentina, South Korea, and New Zealand. By the end of 2024, nearly 1.1 million ETAs had been issued, according to the Home Office.
UK residents and individuals with existing immigration status are exempt from the requirement. The system mirrors the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will mandate visa-exempt travelers to obtain pre-approval before visiting 30 European countries, including France and Germany. However, the EU’s ETIAS launch has been postponed until 2026.
This latest UK border control measure reflects a broader global trend towards digital security enhancements in post-Brexit immigration policies.
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