Planning to visit the UK in 2025? Make sure you meet this new requirement

From 2025, travelling to the UK will be more difficult for European travellers due to a new travel rule that comes into force next year.

Currently, European Union citizens enjoy the privilege of entering the United Kingdom without a visa or additional fees, but this will change by April 2025 as the country’s government plans to introduce a new travel rule by then. CNN reported.

According to a recent announcement by the British government, the new travel rule requires European travelers to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and pay a fee of £10.

This arrangement, which does not apply to British or Irish citizens, is being implemented as part of the country’s goals to digitalise its border and immigration system through an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.

The non-refundable fee will be charged to all visitors to the UK – including babies and children – without a visa or residence, work or study permit, under plans announced by British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Currently, citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates must apply for an ETA before entering the UK.

However, in a recent announcement by the UK Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration Minister and Migration and Citizenship Minister Seema Malhotra confirmed that this passport will also be extended to Europeans by April 2025.

It was also confirmed that this requirement will be extended to most other nationals, including the US, from November 27, ahead of the Europeans.

“ETAs help prevent abuse of the British immigration system”

ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and ensure enhanced security checks are carried out before travelling to the UK, preventing abuse of the country’s immigration system.

“Digitisation will enable a seamless experience for the millions of people who cross the border every year, including the visitors we warmly welcome to the UK who are expected to contribute over £32 billion to our tourism economy this year,” said Malhotra.

She added: “The global expansion of ETA demonstrates our commitment to improving security through new technologies and the embedding of a modern immigration system.”