The UK Government has announced new implementation dates for the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme as it moves forward with plans to digitise British borders.

Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission to travel in advance of coming here. This can be either through an ETA or an eVisa.

The government has confirmed that from 27 November 2024, eligible non-Europeans can apply for an ETA and will need an ETA to travel from 8 January 2025. ETAs will then extend to eligible Europeans from 5 March 2025, who will need an ETA to travel from 2 April 2025.

ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and – according to the government – ensure more robust security checks are carried out before people begin their journey to the UK. An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to 6 months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.

Information about ETA eligibility is available on GOV.UK. Anyone needing to apply for an ETA will be able to do so using the UK ETA app.

Gulf Cooperation Council visitors already need an ETA to travel to the UK..

Minister for migration and citizenship, Seema Malhotra, said: “Digitisation enables a smooth experience for the millions of people who pass through the border every year, including the visitors we warmly welcome to the UK who are predicted to contribute over £32 billion to our tourism economy this year.

“The worldwide expansion of the ETA demonstrates our commitment to enhance security through new technology and embedding a modern immigration system.

“People who need a UK visa to live, work or study in the UK are now issued with an eVisa, providing digital proof of immigration status, instead of physical immigration documents which can be lost, stolen, or tampered with. eVisas mean people no longer have to wait for or travel to collect a physical document, streamlining their experience.”

The government is asking migrants in the UK who currently use a physical immigration document, including a biometric residence permit (BRP), or a passport containing ink stamps or visa vignette stickers, to take action now and create an online account to access their eVisa.

Most BRPs are due to expire on 31 December 2024, and BRP holders are urged to take action before their BRP expires.

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Creating the account enables people to use online services to prove their rights and manage their data, such as their personal details and passport information, with the UK Gov stating that it won’t impact their underlying immigration status.