The United Kingdom (UK) government officially launched its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system on January 8.
This new requirement means that travellers who currently do not need a visa to visit the UK will soon be required to obtain an ETA, a pre-clearance for entry into the country before travel.
Although some refer to it as a visa, the ETA is a visa waiver. Travellers who require a visa to enter the UK must still apply for one but are not required to obtain an ETA in addition.
The scheme was initially introduced to nationals from Gulf Cooperation Council countries in 2024 and has now expanded to include 48 non-European nations.
Further, the UK government has explained that travellers from these countries will need to secure an ETA for entry starting January 8.
However, EU citizens are exempt from this requirement until April 2, 2025. Citizens from these countries who are already residing in the UK do not need an ETA.
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How to Apply Cost and Conditions
The ETA system applies to short visits of under six months for tourism and business purposes.
“Whether you can apply depends on the date you travel and your nationality as shown on your passport.”
Additional categories are available for short-term study and permitted paid engagements, with full details on the UK government’s official website.
The cost of the ETA is a non-refundable £10 (approximately Ksh1,590).
Moreover, applications can be made online or through the official UK ETA apps for iPhone and Android, which offer quicker processing times of about 10 minutes.
Travellers are advised to use official channels to apply, as third-party websites may charge extra fees and pose security risks for personal data.
This scheme follows a broader trend of reciprocity in global travel, similar to the United States ESTA visa waiver introduced in 2009.
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Countries Onboarded by UK So Far
The countries requiring an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the UK from January 8, 2025, include Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Grenada, Guatemala, and Guyana.
Travellers from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British nationals overseas), Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Macao Special Administrative Region, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, and Nicaragua will also need an ETA.
Additional nations in this category are Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Citizens from Taiwan (if their passport includes the identification card number issued by Taiwan’s competent authority), Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Uruguay are also required to obtain an ETA for entry.
Additionally, starting from March 5, 2025, nationals from the following countries and their associated territories can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the UK. They will be permitted to travel to the UK with an ETA from April 2, 2025.
These countries include Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Vatican City.
Other nationalities outside these regions will continue to follow existing visa or travel requirements as applicable.
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