By Carly Coombs | Posted: Jan. 6, 2024 | Updated: Jan. 17, 2024

If you're planning on traveling to the United Kingdom next year, you’re going to need to jump through an extra hoop to be allowed in the country.

The UK will start requiring travelers from the United States (as well as many other countries that were previously visa-exempt) to apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter. Previously, the program required airline passengers with a layover in a UK airport to also apply for travel authorization, but after feedback from the airline industry, the government will not require transient passengers who are not going through border control to apply for an ETA.

According to the UK government, the country is implementing the new policy to enhance border security and create a smoother traveling process.

The program mirrors a similar travel authorization application that the United States requires for non-citizen visitors from visa-exempt countries.

But don’t let the new process deter you from traveling to the UK — it’s fairly simple and inexpensive.

Visitors should apply for the UK ETA in advance through an app or online. The application requires travelers to provide their contact information, passport details, and a valid photo and answer a “set of questions,” according to the government’s website. Currently, the application also includes a fee of £10, but the UK government has stated that the cost will likely be raised to £16 sometime in the future.

It can take up to 72 hours for the application to process, so officials are recommending that travelers not wait until the last minute to avoid any issues entering the country.

Once your application is accepted, it will be valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner, and permits multiple visits to the UK within that two-year period.

If a traveler’s ETA application is refused, they’ll have to apply for a visa to enter the United Kingdom. There are a few reasons that an ETA application may be refused, including certain past criminal convictions or deportation orders. (You can find a list of some reasons for refusal here.)

Travel authorization coming soon for U.S. travelers headed to Europe

The European Union will soon also be implementing a similar entry application process for travelers from the U.S., possibly starting later this year.

The EU’s process, ETIAS, is expected to launch for non-EU travelers — including Americans — in mid-2025, but the program has seen numerous delays, with the official launch date being pushed back several times.

Once the process is in effect, U.S. travelers will need to fill out an application for travel authorization in advance, similar to the UK’s program. Once an ETIAS application is approved, it will be valid for three years.