Applications for non-Europeans will open on 27 November, with an ETA needed to travel from 8 January 2025.

ETAs will then extend to eligible Europeans from 5 March 2025, with ETAs needed to travel from 2 April 2025.

The ETA will cost £10 and permit multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years, or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first.  

It will be needed by anyone who is not a British or Irish citizen who does not need a visa and must be purchased in advance of travel.

 
ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and are already in force for visitors to the UK from some Middle East countries including Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
 
The Home Office said the introduction of ETAs was in line with many other countries, including the US – which has its Esta regime – and Australia.