UK Expands Visa-Waiver Program to Include US, Canada, and Australia
The United Kingdom has broadened its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme to include citizens from the United States, Canada, and Australia, as part of efforts to enhance border security.
Effective from Wednesday, the expanded system now applies to travelers from approximately 50 other countries and territories, including Argentina, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, and several Caribbean nations.
The ETA, similar to the U.S.’s ESTA system, mandates that travelers from visa-exempt countries obtain pre-travel approval. For £10 ($12.50), the digital permit allows stays of up to six months within a two-year period.
Applicants can easily apply for the ETA via an app, with the authorization electronically linked to their passports.
Initially launched in 2023 with Qatar, the ETA system was later expanded to include five Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. The latest extension, which has been in effect since November for applicants, is expected to impact millions of visitors annually, including around six million from the US, Canada, and Australia, according to estimates from the UK government.
From April 2, the scheme will further extend to travelers from various European Union countries and other European nations. Applications for these regions will open on March 5.
Under the new regulations, all eligible travelers, including those merely transiting through the UK, will need an ETA. This applies to all travelers, including children and infants. However, British and Irish citizens, passport holders from British overseas territories, and legal UK residents are exempt. Additionally, the scheme does not alter visa requirements for nationals from countries that already require a visa to enter the UK, such as China, Ecuador, and South Africa.
The rollout has faced criticism from London’s Heathrow Airport, which argues that the system could hurt the UK’s competitiveness.
“The new requirement has reduced the number of passengers transiting through the UK, making the country less competitive and potentially stalling economic growth,” the airport stated.
Previously, travelers from visa-exempt countries could enter the UK using only their passports, bypassing additional authorization requirements.
The ETA mirrors the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is set to launch mid-year for travelers from visa-exempt countries visiting 30 European countries, including France and Germany. The ETIAS will cost €7 ($7.40) and permit stays of up to three years.
