Important information for anyone traveling from the USA to or through the UK on or after Jan. 8, 2025 (new UK ETA Visa requirement).

[sayhello]

A Travel Agent I know who posts on fb posted this information that she got from Tauck:

Additional information for those traveling to or through the UK beginning January 8. Instructions on applying for the UK ETA. Note that this applies to those entering the UK by land, air or sea so cruise ship passengers will also need to apply for this ETA.
Please note that ABD has not sent out any communication on this to date but I will hope they will soon since the policy will begin in about 6 weeks. Please be sure to review the information below. I will pin this post to the top of the group for ease of access going forward since this is a new policy.
Beginning on January 8, 2025 all travelers of any age visiting or transiting through the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) will be required to show documentation of a United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorization (UK ETA). The UK ETA is an advance travel permission required from foreign nationals who intend to visit or transit through the United Kingdom. The exception are those traveling with their valid British or Irish passport/documentation.
This is a brand new policy to improve border security and to make the travel experience more efficient. We have the following details to share about the UK ETA process:
∙ Starting November 27, 2024 travelers can begin to apply via the official UK ETA website or mobile app. Authorization is linked to a valid travel document (i.e. passport), and a decision will usually be sent within 3 business days.
∙ The UK ETA will not be required if you are departing the USA on the evening of January 7, 2025 and arriving in the UK on morning of January 8, 2025. The UK ETA will only be required boarding a carrier from January 8, 2025 onwards.
∙ To apply please go to the UK ETA website or mobile app:
○ Website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta
○ Mobile device app for apple users: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/uk-eta/id6444912481
○ Mobile device app for android users:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details...
∙ The application process will ask you to:
○ Take or upload a photo of the passport you will use to enter the United Kingdom.
○ If you are applying via the mobile app, and your passport has a biometric chip (usually located on the back cover of USA passports), you will be asked to scan that chip. You will hear a beep when the biometric chip has been successfully read. If you get a repeated error message, you can skip this step.
○ Scan your face with your device if it has a camera, Face scans will not be required of children aged 9 and under.
○ Take or upload a photo of yourself. The photo must include your head and shoulders against a plain background and there should be nothing covering your face and eyes. Head coverings should only be worn for religious reasons.
○ Confirm your identity and provide your email address.
○ Pay a fee of GBP 10 per person (for all ages), payable via credit card, debit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay.
∙ In applying for the UK ETA, you do not need to provide details of your travel plans.
∙ You will need to complete your application in one sitting. You cannot save your progress and return to the application later.
∙ If you do not do anything for 20 minutes, the service will time out. Your answers will be deleted and you will need to start again.
∙ Once completed, an email confirming the approval of the UK ETA will be sent and the UK ETA will be linked to the passport you applied with (if you get a new passport within the 2 year validity of the UK ETA you will need to get a new UK ETA). We suggest you print or keep a record of your confirmation email but it is not necessary to show any papers.
∙ The UK ETA will be valid for multiple journeys over 2 years or until expiration of the associated travel document (your passport), whichever is sooner.
∙ You still need to pass through Customs to enter the United Kingdom, and the UK ETA does not guarantee entry.
Please be sure to take the time to apply for the UK ETA, beginning November 27, 2024 and print out the confirmation to bring with you on your trip.
I'm sure you’ll agree that this minor inconvenience is a small price to pay in order to experience the many wonders of visiting the United Kingdom.

I hope this helps. To my knowledge, ABD hasn't sent this info out yet. It may also apply to people traveling from other countries besides the USA.

Sayhello

 

[Doingitagain]

There is also a new requirement for Europe — European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) -- it appears that it will start in Spring 2025.

 

[AquaDame]

A Travel Agent I know who posts on fb posted this information that she got from Tauck:



I hope this helps. To my knowledge, ABD hasn't sent this info out yet. It may also apply to people traveling from other countries besides the USA.

Sayhello

Oh it very much does... some countries already have to have it.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-get-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

I think a lot of folk will be tripped up by this one as it counts even if you are TRANSITING through the UK; you need it for any kind of layover at all.

 

[sayhello]

Oh it very much does... some countries already have to have it.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-get-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

I think a lot of folk will be tripped up by this one as it counts even if you are TRANSITING through the UK; you need it for any kind of layover at all.

What would really worry me is if I'm flying somewhere, and the airline *changes* my flight to transit through the UK, where originally I wasn't. What happens then?

But then again, it was crazy the number of people who didn't know you need an NZeTA to go to New Zealand! While I was waiting for my flight at SFO, they kept calling people to the podium, and it turns out they were having people apply for it right then and there! They were SO lucky Air New Zealand did that for them!

Sayhello

 

[SirDuff]

The transiting thing is weird as, having done it a number of times, you don't go through any sort of passport control if doing an international-to-international connection. Either they are adding a check (possibly at the security check) or they are counting on airlines checking before boarding passengers. Though, actually, other countries already need an eTA, so I guess they have the check system already in place (and, I just realized it's been about two years since I've connected there, so my memory is somewhat old).