Travellers to the UK will soon face higher costs for entry, as the UK government confirmed a 60% rise in the fee for its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Starting 9 April, the cost of the ETA will increase from £10 to £16.
The ETA, an online pre-travel check, was first introduced in November 2023. It is now required for visitors from countries that do not need a visa to enter the UK. Similar to the US ESTA system, the ETA was expanded to over 50 countries in January, including the US, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. From 2 April, it will also be mandatory for travellers from European countries.
The ETA allows multiple trips to the UK and remains valid for two years, or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
The planned fee increase has drawn criticism, particularly from the business travel sector. Despite initial concerns, the government has listened to feedback from the aviation industry and agreed to a temporary exemption for airside transit passengers, who previously needed to apply for an ETA before travelling. The Home Office confirmed that this exemption will be “kept under review.”
While the ETA is designed to strengthen UK border security, it will now be more expensive than the EU’s upcoming Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is set to cost €7.
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