Shock new change coming for Aussies travelling to the UK - and its going to cost you
Australians will soon need to seek permission to enter the United Kingdom.
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 travellers 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.
The scheme is already being used by visitors from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
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 holders passport expires - whichever is sooner.
Digitisation enables a smooth experience for the millions of people who pass through the border every year, Ms Malhotra said.
(This includes) the visitors we warmly welcome to the UK who are predicted to contribute over £32bn to our tourism economy this year,
The change means security checks are carried out before people begin their journey to the UK, helping to prevent abuse of the immigration system, the minister says.
Europeans do not yet need an authorisation to get into the UK.
From November 27, all non-Europeans (whose citizenship means they do not need a visa) can apply for an electronic authorisation pass.
That cohort will need the pass to enter the UK from January 8.
The passes then become mandatory for Europeans from April 2.
The minister says the government is working with airlines, maritime carriers and rail companies to make sure the change is smooth.
