Australians will soon need to seek permission to enter the United Kingdom.
All travellers who do not require a UK visa will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they arrive overseas as of April 2025.
The move is an extension of a scheme that was first launched last November which requires citizens of countries that do not require a UK visa to get an ETA.
On Wednesday, the UK government announced the scheme would be expanded to include travellers from non-European countries, including Australia.
Applications for an ETA will open on November 27, 2024 but will not be required to travel until January 8, 2025.
By April 2025, all visitors – including children – will require an ETA to travel to the UK.
The ETA will cost £10 (A$20) each and makes the holder eligible for multiple trips to the UK for up to six months at a time over two years.
Visitors can apply for an ETA on the UK ETA app and once approved – usually within three working days – the document is linked to the traveller’s passport.
Australian travellers who do not require a UK visa will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they arrive overseas as of April 2025 (stock image)
Applications for an ETA will open on November 27, 2024 but will not be required to travel until January 8, 2025. All travellers will need an ETA by April 2025 (stock image)
British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA to enter the UK.
Migration and Citizenship Minister Seema Malhotra said the move would enhance security and modernise immigration in line with the US and Australia.
She said the new process would ‘enable a smooth experience for the millions of people who pass through the border every year’.
Australia requires British passport holders to get an electronic travel authorisation; the authorisation itself is free but there is a $20 fee to use the app to get it.
The authorisation ticket is attached digitally to the passport and obtained via an app.
A UK authorisation costs £10 ($19.66 as of Wednesday) and permits 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 is sooner.
More to come.