THE United Kingdom has introduced an electronic travel authorization system, theETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)similar to theAmerican ESTA or to South Korean K-ETA. ETA is compulsory for nationals of many UK visa-exempt countries. Initially, this requirement also applied to transit travelers, prompting concern and criticism from the airline industry.
Temporary Exemption for Transit Passengers
Good news for travellers in transit! The British government has announced a temporary exemption ETA for air transit passengers who do not pass through border control. This measure mainly concerns the airports of London Heathrow and of ManchesterThese are the only airports in the UK with airside transit facilities. This means that if you stay within the airport's transit zone, you won't need to apply for an ETA.
- Why this exemption? This decision was taken following comments from the aviation industry, which pointed out that requiring ETAs for transit passengers would make connections at Heathrow more complex, and could lead to a loss of business for airlines such as British Airways.
- What this means: If you follow the purple "Flight Connections"At Heathrow, you don't need to go through UK immigration, so you don't need an ETA. If you have a connecting flight and need to take the tube to change terminals, you will need to go through immigration and therefore have an ETA.
Exemption conditions
- The exemption applies only to passengers who remain in airside transitIn other words, they do not pass through British border control.
- If you need to pick up your luggage and recheck them, you'll need to go through immigration and obtain an ETA. This is often the case if you have separate tickets, or if the airline does not offer direct baggage check-in to your final destination.
- This exemption is temporary and will be regularly reassessed by the government. However, the aviation sector doubts that the requirement for an online permit for connecting passengers will be reinstated.
ETA currently costs £10 (12 €). This exemption avoids this cost for transit passengers. Please note that the price is currently being re-evaluated...
Applying for ETA can take time, although some people have reported very quick approvals in a matter of minutes. This exemption takes the red tape out of the equation. A mobile application exists.
| Possible price increase for ETA Although this exemption brings financial relief to some travelers, the cost of ETA could soon rise. The British government has proposed raising the price of ETA from £10 to £16 (19 €). This increase is part of a package of changes to immigration and nationality service fees, aimed at reducing the migration system's dependence on public funding. The increase still has to be approved by the Home Office. |
Who needs an ETA?
ETA remains mandatory for nationals of visa-exempt countries who wish to enter the UK, not just transit.
- From April 2, 2025the citizens of 34 European countriesincluding France, Germany and Spain, will also need to obtain an ETA.
- Nationals of 54 countries non-Europeans must already obtain an ETA.
- The list includes the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea, among others.
How do I apply for an ETA?
You can apply for an ETA online or via the "UK ETA" mobile application. The ETA is usually approved in a matter of minutes or hours. It is valid for up to two years, and allows multiple 6-month stays. The ETA is linked electronically to your passport, so there is no physical document to present.
Please note that the validity of the ETA is limited to the expiry date of the passport used at the time of application, which may be less than 2 years.
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