UK implements new travel requirements for visitors from 48 countries heres all you need to know

Travelers may have been spared from Europe’s new entrance fee in 2024, but they won’t be able to avoid it any longer.After delays on the European Union’s ETIAS visa waiver, or European Travel Information and Authorisation System, it’s now on track to officially roll out in 2025.The ETIAS is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals traveling to 30 European countries, including France, Italy, Germany, Greece and Spain.But on Wednesday, Jan.8, before ETIAS officially starts, the UK will introduce an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) system, which is a digital registration for U.S., Canadian and many non-European passport holders who do not have a valid visa to enter or travel through the UK.Rather than just having a passport to present when landing, tourists will now also need pre-travel authorization to get on a plane to the UK.ETA — which is equivalent to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) in the U.S.

— is a mandatory, paid-for approval that pre-clears travelers for entry prior to getting on the plane.The digital registration scheme is for “short” visits of less than six months for tourism and business, as well as short-term study and permitted paid engagements, according to the ETA website.Travelers from 48 countries, including the U.S.and Canada, will need an ETA to enter the UK starting on Jan.

8.However, EU citizens will only need one beginning April 2, and citizens of those countries who are UK residents won’t need an ETA.It should be noted that the ETA is not a visa — it’s a visa waiver.

So travelers whose citizenship requires a visa to enter the UK will still need to apply for one, though they won’t need an ETA.Those planning to travel to the UK can apply for an ETA through the official app listed on the UK government website or directly online.The cost is a non-refundable fee of 10 euros (just above $10), and you will need to upload or take photos of your passport and a photo of your face.Applying onl...