Once again, international travel is getting more complicated. Since April 2, the UK has also started requiring a paid travel authorization called an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before entry. And just a few days after its introduction, the price is already going up. The British government has announced that the cost will rise from £10 to £16 on April 9.
So here’s a quick tip: If you’re planning a trip in the coming months, you can still apply for the ETA at the “old” price until April 8 (inclusive). The authorization is valid for two years, and you don’t need to have specific travel plans to apply.
The ETA can be applied for either online via a browser or using the smartphone app (available on Android and iOS).
Contrary to the original announcement, you do not need an ETA for airport-only transits (i.e. without entering the UK). This rule was initially meant to be temporary, but it now seems to be permanent. You can find a list of all countries eligible for ETA here.
Application Process
The UK government recommends applying via the smartphone app. Personally, I preferred doing it on a computer. But be aware that there’s a digital queue on the website, so you might have to wait a bit.
The process is roughly as follows:
- Enter and confirm your email address
- Upload a photo of your passport
- Enter personal details (name, address, occupation)
- Answer two or three questions
- Activate your camera (if available)
- Upload a selfie
- Pay the fee (via credit card / Google Pay)
- Wait for the decision
When converting currency, Europeans get the short end of the stick. The actual £10.00 (~€11.45) turns into €12.43 if you select a Euro country during payment—about 6% above the official exchange rate. It’s better to select the UK as your country when paying and pay in GBP instead.
The decision in my case took just one minute, much faster than with the US ESTA.
Translated by Ditmar
Cover Picture: Buckingham Palace in London | Ditmar Lange