The UK is in the process of rolling out an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirement for foreign visitors. This was implemented as of January 8, 2025, for those with passports from many countries (including the United States), and will be added for those with passports from the European Union as of April 2, 2025.
With this, travelers have to complete an application and pay a £10 fee prior to travel, and the ETA is valid for up to two years. Well, the UK is already backtracking on a major aspect of this, and I can’t say I’m surprised…
In this post:
International transit passengers don’t need an ETA
When the UK introduced its ETA requirement, the government insisted that transit passengers would also need to apply for this. That’s a bit unusual, since the UK allows sterile international transit, and in most countries, you don’t need an ETA if simply in international transit (even if there’s otherwise an ETA requirement).
I have to imagine that this caused some challenges for airlines (particularly British Airways and Virgin Atlantic), since many travelers probably didn’t realize they needed to apply for an ETA, especially if in transit. Well, the government is now backtracking on this requirement:
Following feedback from the aviation industry, the government has agreed a temporary exemption for passengers who transit airside, and therefore do not pass through UK border control.
This move will primarily affect Heathrow and Manchester airports, as the only UK airports which currently offer transit facilities. The exemption will be kept under review.
It’s not entirely clear to me if this exemption is being introduced effective immediately, or if this still requires formal government approval. Also, while this is being described as a “temporary exemption” as of now, many believe that this will be a permanent change, to line up with the policies of many other countries. That brings us to the second point…
UK ETA fee to increase by 60%, from £10 to £16
Clearly the UK is realizing how much revenue it will lose from its ETA scheme if transit passengers are exempt, so now the plan is to increase the fee for those who do have to pay it. The government has proposed a change whereby the cost of an ETA would increase by 60%, from £10 to £16.
This is being voted on at the moment, and it’s not clear when this will be implemented. While that might not be a huge increase in absolute terms, it definitely adds up, especially if you’re traveling as a larger group. And that says nothing of the UK’s very high Air Passenger Duty (APD), which impacts visitors to the country.
The UK has marketed ETAs as being about increasing safety, and being able to screen travelers before they arrive. Also, obviously there’s some significant cost to administering this program. But still, one wonders if this increase is to actually cover the cost of the program, or to simply boost the profit margin from this scheme.
Bottom line
It seems that the UK’s widespread rollout of ETAs isn’t going as smoothly as planned. The government is now backtracking on the requirement for transit passengers to get an ETA, assuming they plan on staying airside. I’m not surprised to see this change, given that I imagine this ended up being quite complicated for airlines.
However, obviously the UK doesn’t want to lose out on much revenue, so now the plan is to increase the ETA fee from £10 to £16, for those who do need it.
What do you make of the changes to the UK ETA scheme?
Perfect. Just got approved for a transit ETA later this week. Thanks, UK!
Mine was approved ASAP from time of application however I did pay. Maybe I should request a refund from my credit card company..LOL!
It is clear that this is really about revenue, not about security. Why not just raise the tax?
Please hush your mouth TP, this inept Labour government is taxing us poor citizens beyond the pale. Lol.
I never really understood the need for connecting passengers to be subject to an ETA in the first place. What is the need to implement such a massive theatre just to create the illusion of further security for such infinitesimally small cases of some lost soul from one of these trusted nations trying to claim asylum via flight connections by going through various gymnastics?
Nobody from the US is going to try and claim...
I never really understood the need for connecting passengers to be subject to an ETA in the first place. What is the need to implement such a massive theatre just to create the illusion of further security for such infinitesimally small cases of some lost soul from one of these trusted nations trying to claim asylum via flight connections by going through various gymnastics?
Nobody from the US is going to try and claim asylum to live in the likes of Rotherham, Rochdale, Clacton, Boston, etc. And the fee hikes for ETA seem more of a money making goal, with the idea of ETAs generally being an opportunity to generate extra IT consulting services.
Also, no one has bothered to answer the question as to why the UK waited more than 15 years to create a system like this if they were really being reciprocal to the ESTAs in the US, ETAs in Australia, etc. If they were really intent on improving border security, I'd start with all those migrants coming on boats across the English Channel. Britain is hardly even British these days.
My only concern regarding transiting without registering is this: if my connecting evening flight out of LHR is cancelled, and I can't get the very quick approval via the website that several of you have experienced, could I be stuck airside overnight?
I flew I to LHR a few days ago, entering UK (not transiting). I had already gotten the ETA app and completed the online process.
When I scanned my passport upon arrival, the system seemed to "recognise" me. No long chats with border agents. No x-ray of my luggage. No queues. I literally just scanned my passport and left the airport. I got into the airport and out to the Uber area in only a...
I flew I to LHR a few days ago, entering UK (not transiting). I had already gotten the ETA app and completed the online process.
When I scanned my passport upon arrival, the system seemed to "recognise" me. No long chats with border agents. No x-ray of my luggage. No queues. I literally just scanned my passport and left the airport. I got into the airport and out to the Uber area in only a few minutes! I was shocked how fast it was.
If this is what £10 buys me, I am more than happy to pay.
There is literally an existing system of e-gates that they can improvise on that has been around since 2018/19ish. Though it has software issues from time to time, the idea is pretty decent, which is that trusted countries can enjoy expedited entry. Not sure what the need was to implement an ETA, when all they need to do is make the infrastructure they have right now more efficient.
Just as @Jay has attest.
US citizens can do what @John did for free before the stupid ETA visa requirements.
I used the e-gate system in Dubai yesterday...talk about quick, efficient, easy and convenient! I went through immigration literally in 30 seconds.
The UK is bankrupt, they need all the help from outsiders. Can’t tax their folks no more. Shitty healthcare shitty education. A government that has no idea how to fix the country. Let’s give it 10 quid.
Thank you for your kind but ill informed comment, please try harder next time.
At least he's not defending a country hell bent on mediocrity like you.
At least he's not defending an airline hell bent on mediocrity like you.
Wow, only three ill informed comments, however, maybe you three know something about this looney Labour government that I don’t?
As one reads the various comments below, it becomes apparent that there are those who know so very little about their own national travel arrangements affecting visitors. Furthermore, they either lack the foresight to check those imposed by other countries or just wish to moan about the subject.
Likewise, it does not take the brains of an Oxford or Yale professor, to understand that Mr Google, is willing to disgorge terabytes of information, in...
As one reads the various comments below, it becomes apparent that there are those who know so very little about their own national travel arrangements affecting visitors. Furthermore, they either lack the foresight to check those imposed by other countries or just wish to moan about the subject.
Likewise, it does not take the brains of an Oxford or Yale professor, to understand that Mr Google, is willing to disgorge terabytes of information, in multiple languages, about tourists destinations around the planet. Claiming to see no international tourists in an English city like Manchester, is the equivalent of stating that there are none in New York, LA or Paris. Ignorant.
In any major city of the world one can see “Homeless people in tents”, experience smog pollution rather than winter mist or “Fog”.
Really John123, you were lucky that you were not barged off the pavement by the hordes of international tourists who infest, for example , the ‘real York’.
Sour grapes, ignorance of international travel regulations, or, the unwillingness to apply one’s own ability to learn, is inexcusable.
It is not about knowing what travel restrictions USA imposes on others. Of course, we can impose anything we want on visitors because we are the world’s super power. When y’all are in trouble, you turn to us for help and not China! What British don’t understand or don’t want to accept is that they are a loser island nation and can not impose these kinds of inconveniences on Americans. I hope it is clear to your faux Cambridge-educated brain.
Darlink Matt, your stereotypical comment is common amongst those who know so little but believe the propaganda pumped into them.
Thank you so much for sharing your ill gotten knowledge with us, we have no idea how we could survive without it.
"This move will primarily affect Heathrow and Manchester airports, as the only UK airports which currently offer transit facilities."
Not sure what they meant by this. A few years back I flew JFK- LGW- ARN on Norwegian and never left sterile zone. Granted, Norwegian no longer flies to the US, but I doubt transit is no longer operational
Gatwick hasn't offered airside transit for years. (they stopped it around Covid and never brought it back)
It will just get people to reconsider the UK as a destination if the fee is too high
Given that transiting pax do NOT pass through UK border control, which UK government authority would be checking for the ETA anyway? Didn't make any sense at all.
The US makes us buy ESTA when transiting through Guam too. Very annoying.
Avoid travel to UK
The sun has definitely set so they must think they are somehow relevant?
Lol US has the same eta requirement too and for the same price...
The US doesn't have sterile transit at any of its airports. That's a big difference vs. the UK. Nothing to stop you from walking out of the airport.
Even if there's airside transit there are still loopholes that could be abused (e.g. injuring oneself, being taken to a hospital, and claiming asylum).
That's why the government wanted to require ETA for transit passengers.
Flew through LHR on Sunday. At check in at BCN - even in the (Europe) Business line - lots of folks were enraged (usually at their partner) for not knowing about the ETA. The check-in agents were getting earfuls from travelers taken off guard. And it was holding up ALL the check-in lines as pax were incredulous about how and why this was being implemented. I felt terribly for the contracted check-in folks who were...
Flew through LHR on Sunday. At check in at BCN - even in the (Europe) Business line - lots of folks were enraged (usually at their partner) for not knowing about the ETA. The check-in agents were getting earfuls from travelers taken off guard. And it was holding up ALL the check-in lines as pax were incredulous about how and why this was being implemented. I felt terribly for the contracted check-in folks who were on the receiving end of the grief. Seems it was very poorly marketed as a requirement to infrequent travelers.
Sadly, some people are only too willing to blame others for their own inability to check, understand and accept international travel regulations.
Ignorance is no excuse and it is unacceptable to blame others for one’s own stupidity.
The airlines have done a terrible job in warning the passengers. You can't just assume people will know such a monumental decision, especially when recent.
Are we surprised that the UK has f'ed up the details of their ETA and now has to walk something back? Of course we are not, we'd be surprised if it was well thought through.
Brexit!!!!!
Canada and NZ require their ETA even for sterile international transit so it's not without precedent, but good news that the UK government has eased it
Yeah that doesn't justify it because it is stupid and causes a lot of unnecessary issues.
It does justify requiring ETA for transit: otherwise, someone in sterile international transit could escape from it using a loophole, for instance, if the person were to injure themselves (or fake a medical emergency), get taken to the hospital, and then claim asylum.
Is it really worth putting up such theatre for extremely rare cases, though? Hardly anyone goes to the UK from America to claim asylum in such a manner. UK should focus more on its rampant illegal migration
We don't have "rampant illegal immigration". It's a nothing burger whipped up by our racist media and politicians here.
I don’t believe Canada has sterile transit, have to go through customs and immigration at landing
Canada only has one airport with sterile international transit facilities (Montreal) and they do not require an ETA to transit there last I checked.
Some may find this UK government website useful: …..
https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-factsheet-january-2025/
How early can you purchase (…at the current rate)? Does the two years of validation begin from purchase or use?
Thank you!
You can apply for it whenever (do not need to have travel planned), it just needs to be at least 3 days before a trip (I had my confirmation in 10 minutes). It's 2 years from when you receive the confirmation.
One notes that someone (Ben perhaps?) has used my posts as ‘click-bate’ for the colonial elements who read these comments.
One is definitely amused and welcomes a challenge.
I find this ETA malarkey weird.
The UK is supposed to be part of the Five Eyes security alliance with the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. If there is intensive intelligence sharing between these 5 countries, why should Americans, Canadians, Aussies and NZers have to obtain an ETA? Further, the ETA is to be valid for 2 years. Suppose an American ETA holder goes rogue after a year. How will the ETA system...
I find this ETA malarkey weird.
The UK is supposed to be part of the Five Eyes security alliance with the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. If there is intensive intelligence sharing between these 5 countries, why should Americans, Canadians, Aussies and NZers have to obtain an ETA? Further, the ETA is to be valid for 2 years. Suppose an American ETA holder goes rogue after a year. How will the ETA system capture this fact?
The situation with EU nationals is even more bizarre. Till Brexit happened, rogue Europeans could be caught through intelligence sharing. All those sharing arrangements now gone?
I think the UK has gone into overdrive trying to make the country unwelcome for tourists. Or is that the unstated objective?
You know the US ESTA is valid for two years as well?
You do realize that Australia has had their scheme for over 20 years, the US and Canada for about the last 10. This is hardly some off-the-cuff idea the British came up with. I’m not defending these schemes (while they have their merit, they’re largely a cash grab), if anything, the British were the exception in the Anglosphere in NOT having a scheme in place.
Of course, the US pretty much has stated its objective is to be as unwelcoming to tourists as possible.
I honestly think that this whole business of electronic travel authorizations is total nonsense, regardless of the country. It's pretty much a return back to the visa system, only 21st century-style. Much like we don't need to go to the bank anymore to deposit a check, but the essence is the same. So, the countries, which agreed back in late 20th century to drop visa requirements, reintroduced them again. At least that's the gist of...
I honestly think that this whole business of electronic travel authorizations is total nonsense, regardless of the country. It's pretty much a return back to the visa system, only 21st century-style. Much like we don't need to go to the bank anymore to deposit a check, but the essence is the same. So, the countries, which agreed back in late 20th century to drop visa requirements, reintroduced them again. At least that's the gist of it
As far as the technical side of the question, it's unlikely that with the current flow of tourists it makes such a huge difference whether you file two days ahead or your passport is scanned by the airline at the airport. I think it's sheer nuisance to do any advance filing of this stuff
It is a real mess because if you fly to Ireland and drive into the UK via Northern Ireland, then there is no border control at all and you can enter the UK without an ETA. This kind of system should be introduced for all countries in the "common travel area" not just one country taking a unilateral decision (UK and Ireland have borderless access, similar concept to Schengen but just for UK and Ireland).
About a decade ago I swore off flying through the UK, given the high air taxes, miserable and depressing state of their no-frills airports (for example, having to pay for what should be complimentary hotel shuttle buses), and just the general malaise of what the UK feels like. This just further cements it in my mind.
Trust me Eric, you have not been missed. England will be a green and pleasant land when all the tourists go home.
Which tourists?
I was in England outside London during Christmas holidays, there were no international tourists at all. In the flight, it was 99% Brits.
Agree with Eric, between the foggy weather, the homeless people in tents on the main square of Manchester, lack of life and the limited heating in public places... I am generally a fan of remote/not not touristy places like Tadjikistan, Mozambique, Kiev prior to the war.. But I...
Which tourists?
I was in England outside London during Christmas holidays, there were no international tourists at all. In the flight, it was 99% Brits.
Agree with Eric, between the foggy weather, the homeless people in tents on the main square of Manchester, lack of life and the limited heating in public places... I am generally a fan of remote/not not touristy places like Tadjikistan, Mozambique, Kiev prior to the war.. But I don't think I was ready for the level of despair that is Northern England.
Good luck with your delusions, living in a broke, dreary country with no healthcare! I won't miss it either.
The non-implementation of a transit tax cemented your decision to not transit at these airports?
I would understand the reverse situation leading your conclusion but this...
Ha. I wonder if there were many like me that chose to cancel their BA flights since it connected through LHR. I booked Swiss Air direct instead.
I flew MIA > LHR > ZRH last night (jan 16th).
at the AA flagship kiosk at MIA, they could not check me in without proof of the UK ETA. thankfully i had purchased one last month for a trip later this spring, but both myself and the agents were confused as i was only transiting through the UK on this trip.
That's exactly my question, Morgan (are you listening, Ben)? While this a welcome move -- for transiting flyers, will it lead to even more confusion. Which connecting LHR passengers transit vs. entering the UK in order to change terminals, etc.? Are ALL international connections at LHR made post-security, even if a change in terminals is involved. We'll be flying AA from JFK to LHR and connecting there on BA to CDG; will I need a UK ETA? How will I know?
Do you not know the difference between security and passport control/immigration?
Yes all international arrival passengers can remain post security, just follow the flight connections signs, if you are changing terminals you will be put on a bus and transferred.
That is incorrect. Was flying through LHR on Sunday BCN-LHR-ORD and we absolutely had to re-clear security. This has been the case for years. I've lost many sticks of deodorant, SOLID deodorant, to LHR security when transiting from the US to other parts of Europe.
The standard security checks are in the sterile area, he will not need to go through to landslide for connection and under the revised changes will not need an ETA.
@DCAWABN that's because when transiting to the United States, you're required to reclear security. The US has slightly different security requirements for US bound flights. If I fly within Canada and have a connection to the United States, I have to go through security again at the connecting airport. For your example, if I were to fly BCN - LHR - YYZ, I would only go through security at BCN.
>>if I were to fly BCN - LHR - YYZ, I would only go through security at BCN
No, you would go through security at LHR also. This is because the UK does not trust the security of other countries.
If you were to fly BCN-MUC-YYZ then you would not clear security at MUC, this is because Germany trusts the security of other EU countries.
This has been the case for the past 20 years or more and nothing to do with brexit.
@rlku2 fair enough, LHR was a bad example.
Which brings up another point. If I fly into LHR/MAN on BA and then have a separate ticket on RyanAir I'm effectively a transit passenger but BA would be at risk if they let me fly without the ETA.
this is just way too messy.....
The UK needs to base it more on reciprocal behavior. If a country doesnt let people from the uk use egates, they should be blocked too. If a country requires UK passports to pay fees for transit, they should be required to as well.
Yes, an eye for an eye. Sounds like a very intelligent and mature way to go about policy making.
UK, and specifically England, is a failing empire so they have no power for reciprocity. They should be lucky that us Americans want to visit their shithole country.
If you plan on coming here with that kind of attitude, then I'd rather you didn't.
As soon as you said "us" and not "we", everyone knew which nationality was going to follow.
Unfortunately frrp, your comment has drawn some ill informed responses from an anti-English, rude, crude and revolting individual.
That kind of attitude is not acceptable or welcome in any civilised society.
tit-for-tat never seems to solve problems for those over 7 years of age.
Time to put on your big boy pants, @frrp!
Good thing I registered last week and paid the 10 GBP. It was easy and it took 5 min on the app. Received an approval in 1 minute. American living in Berlin and travel to The UK often. Went through the auto gates @ MAN airport last week Fri, no issue whatsoever.