Zachary Laks
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Are you planning on traveling to the United Kingdom or Europe in 2025? U.S. citizens (and visa-exempt foreigners) will soon have to add one more step and a new fee to their pre-travel plans. The UK (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) will expand its Electronic Travel Authorization program on January 8, 2025, to inbound travelers from the U.S., Europe, and others. In addition, the European Union will also add a new travel authorization for visa-exempt foreigners visiting 30 European countries beginning in spring 2025. Who precisely does this affect? How do you register? How much will it cost? Read on for your guide to everything you need to know about the UK and EU’s new Electronic Travel Authorizations.
The UK ETA is a digital travel authorization that will be required for most foreign visitors entering the United Kingdom. Modeled after the U.S. ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), the ETA is designed to enhance border security while simplifying the travel process for international visitors. It allows the UK to screen travelers before they arrive, reducing potential security risks and ensuring a smoother entry process at the border.
The ETA is not a visa and does not replace a visa for those who require one. Instead, it is an additional step for those traveling to the UK without a visa for short-term stays, such as tourists, business travelers, or those transiting through the UK.
The UK is rolling out the ETA program in phases. It was first launched in 2023 for travelers from certain Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. However, the program will expand significantly starting in 2025.
This means that if you’re a U.S. citizen planning a UK trip for tourism or business in 2025 and beyond, you’ll need to apply for the UK ETA before your departure.
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Non-Europeans, including U.S. citizens planning to travel to the UK on January 8, 2025, or after, can begin their application process on November 27, 2024. They can apply for a UK ETA through the UK government's official website or the ETA app (available on Apple and Google).
Travelers must apply for an ETA online before they travel. The application process requires travelers to provide contact and passport details, answer some questions and upload a recent, high-quality passport-style photo. Obtaining an ETA can take up to three business days, so plan before your departure.
A UK ETA costs £10, or approximately $13.12, and is valid for multiple entries for six months over a two-year period. To avoid additional service and processing fees from your bank, consider using a credit card with no international fees.
The UK ETA program is expanding to strengthen the UK’s border security and improve travel ease. The program is intended for visitors who don't need a visa for short stays in the UK or don't already have UK immigration status.
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ETIAS is the European Union’s European Travel Information and Authorization System, a new travel authorization system requiring more than 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries, including U.S. citizens, to have travel authorization when entering these 30 European countries. EU officials have not yet released its launch date, but it will go into effect in early 2025.
The new screening process is a streamlined background check to help protect Europe’s Schengen Area, the border-free travel zone that allows for the free movement of people. The new ETIAS is not a visa but a travel authorization linked to your passport. Before ETIAS, EU member countries had no way of knowing about travelers from non-EU countries until they arrived at the border.
The ETIAS is valid for up to three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You need a new ETIAS travel authorization if you get a new passport.
If granted a valid ETIAS travel authorization, you can enter the territory of the 30 European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - typically for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it is important to note that it does not guarantee entry. Upon arriving in Europe, you’ll have to go through border patrol security, where you’ll be required to procure your passport, ETIAS travel authorization, and other documents to a border guard to verify that you meet the entry conditions.
Travelers with citizenship from the 60 visa-exempt countries should apply by visiting the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) website.
ETIAS screening will charge a €7 fee (about $7.63) only for applicants between the ages of 18 and 70 at the time of application. Travelers who are under 18 or above 70 are exempt from this payment. To avoid additional service and processing fees from your bank, consider using a credit card with no international fees.
Once the program is launched, you will want to apply for an ETIAS as soon as you know your travel plans. While most applications will reportedly be processed within minutes, there are application contingencies that may require extra processing time. If your application requires a more thorough approval, a decision might take up to four business days or up to 14 business days if requested to provide additional information and documentation. If you’re invited for a security screening interview, your ETIAS could take up to 30 days to process.
Passport stamps for entry into the European Union are being retired and replaced by the new ETIAS process. Soon, faces and fingerprints will be scanned and recorded in the EU’s registration system, slated to begin in late 2025. The new ETIAS will help expedite border security wait times and offer non-EU citizens a more streamlined process.
Navigating the evolving landscape of international travel requirements, such as the UK's Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), can be complex. Working with a knowledgeable AAA Travel Agent ensures you're well-informed and prepared. They can answer all your questions about these new travel regulations, provide guidance on the necessary documentation, and help you avoid potential pitfalls. Whether you're planning a European adventure or a quick trip across the pond, a AAA Travel Agent will simplify the process, ensuring your journey is smooth from start to finish.