Every relevant person travelling must obtain an ETA, including babies and children
Travellers frequently face changing regulations when crossing international borders. Now, Heathrow Airport has issued a reminder about some essential new requirements now in effect.
Under the changes, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has become a legal necessity for certain people from this month. This £16 charge permits travellers to enter the UK for tourism, family visits and other purposes for up to six months.
On X, formerly Twitter, the major airport announced this week: “Starting tomorrow, 25 February, whether your final destination is the UK or are connecting via Heathrow, eligible visitors will need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation).
“Find out more on http://GOV.UK.” It then also stressed: “From 25 February, you can’t legally travel without an Electronic Travel Authorisation. Exemptions apply.”
Whilst most UK visitors will require an ETA or visa to enter the UK, this depends on your nationality and purpose of travel. For example, an ETA is usually necessary if you’re arriving from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada and selected other countries.
Every person travelling must obtain an ETA, including babies and children. Therefore, for a family of four, you’ll probably need to pay £64 altogether, whilst a family of six will generally pay £96. Visitors may apply for an ETA on behalf of others.
Anyone holding a British or Irish passport, or who has permission to work, live, or study in the UK, won’t need an ETA. According to official Government advice, other exemptions include:
It’s important to remember that having an ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. Those with a criminal record or who have previously been denied entry should consider applying for a Standard Visitor visa instead.
Beyond this, the UK Government highlights exactly what can and can’t be done with an ETA. For instance, the ETA allows:
Meanwhile, these five things are not permitted with an ETA:
- Staying in the UK for longer than six months
- Doing paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you’re doing a permitted paid engagement or event or work on the Creative Worker visa concession
- Claiming public funds (benefits)
- Living in the UK through frequent or successive visits
- Marrying or registering a civil partnership, or giving notice of marriage or civil partnership – a Marriage Visitor visa is needed
Travellers can apply for the £16 ETA online or via the UK ETA app. To complete this, they’ll need a passport, an email address, and a payment option, including Apple Pay and Google Pay.
The fee is non-refundable after an application has been submitted. For further details,head to GOV.UK here.
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
