Major change to UK travel rules in April - who needs to buy £10 permission and how long it lasts

A huge change to the UK’s immigration system is about to take place. From April 2, those arriving at UK ports and airports - expect Brits and Irish - will need permission to travel in advance through either an Electric Travel Authorisation (ETA) or an eVisa. Eligible Europeans will require an ETA or eVisa from April 2 and can apply now. All eligible non-European nationals already require an ETA to travel to or transit through the UK.

An ETA sets you back £10 and allows multiple visits to the UK of up to six months over a two-year period, or until the holder’s passport expires - whichever is sooner. We must clarify that an ETA is not a visa, it is a digital permission to travel.

Applying for an ETA is quick and simple through the UK ETA app and, with the vast majority of applicants currently receiving a decision automatically in minutes. Prospective visitors can also apply on the government website if they do not have access to a smartphone.

Applicants provide their biographic and biometric details and answer questions on suitability and criminality. Once an applicant has been approved, their ETA is digitally linked to their passport. Despite most applications are approved quickly, it is still recommended to allow up to three working days to account for the small number of cases that require additional review.