U.K. Introduces Entry Fee for Visitors

Planning a trip to England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland? Be prepared for a slight increase in your travel costs and some additional requirements.

In February, the United Kingdom announced that from 2024, travelers exempt from visas will need to secure an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which mandates all visitors (excluding British and Irish citizens) to gain approval and pay a fee before entering the country (for Qatari nationals, this requirement starts later this year). The U.K. government recently confirmed that the fee for the permit will be £10 (approximately US$12.50 based on current exchange rates).

ETAs will allow for multiple entries

As per a government fact sheet, the ETA “will allow for multiple trips and will remain valid for two years or until the passport of the holder expires—whichever occurs first,” and the fee is “affordable and on par with similar international programs from global partners.”

ETA Processing Time

The U.K. anticipates that applications (which will require basic personal information, travel details, passport information, email address, and some security details) will be processed within 48 to 72 hours and will be electronically associated with the passport used for the application. Once the ETA is obtained, visitors can stay in the U.K. for up to 180 days (6 months) and explore any area of the country.

ETA Implementation Dates

The program will commence for Qatari nationals on October 25, 2023, and will be available for citizens of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia starting February 1, 2024. It is anticipated to be expanded to other countries by the end of 2024.

The Rationale Behind the U.K.'s ETA Requirement

“This initiative will enhance the U.K.'s control over its borders, enabling us to prevent threats from entering while also giving individuals and carriers more confidence about their travel eligibility to the U.K. at an earlier stage,” stated the government earlier this year.

It's important to clarify that the ETA is not a visa; it serves as a digital entry permission for the U.K. The ETA resembles the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which will be mandatory for travel to the European Schengen Zone starting in 2024. According to the government, this is part of a strategy to fully digitize border processes by 2025.

Reporting contributed by Michelle Baran.