Key Highlights:
How to Apply: Apply online via the UK Government website or the UK ETA app. Most approvals are granted within three working days.
New Requirement: From January 2025, Australians must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK.
Cost: The ETA costs £10 (approx. AUD$20) and allows multiple trips up to 6 months each, valid for 2 years.
Who Needs It: Applies to Australians, as well as travellers from New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea.
Flight Tax: From April 2025, a £224 (approx. AUD$430) flight tax will be levied on premium economy, business, and first-class tickets departing from the UK.
From January 2025, Australian travellers heading to the UK will be required to complete a new form and pay a fee before their journey begins. This new form is known as the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which must be submitted online and approved prior to boarding your flight.
Similar to the USA’s ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) and upcoming equivalents in Europe, Thailand, and Japan, the UK’s ETA is a digital visa-waiver program designed for tourism and business purposes. Please note, this does not replace a traditional visa.
Currently, the UK ETA is already in place for visitors from Gulf states such as Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, and will be rolled out globally in two stages.
As of 8 Jan 2025, travellers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, among others, will need an ETA to enter the UK, unless they are travelling on an eVisa. Applications will be open from27 Nov 2024.
The UK ETA will cost £10 (approx. AUD$20) and allows for multiple trips to the UK, with stays of up to six months at a time, valid for two years or until the passport expires.
European citizens will also require an ETA from 2 Apr 2025. UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, states that the expansion of the ETA globally “demonstrates our commitment to enhancing security through new technology and creating a seamless experience for the millions of visitors to the UK each year."
However, luxury travellers should be mindful that the £10 ETA fee pales in comparison to the £224 (approx. AUD$430) ‘flight tax’ that will apply to all premium economy, business class, and first-class flights departing from the UK starting April 2025.
How to Apply for the UK ETA
Travellers can easily apply for the UK ETA through the UK Government website or via the UK ETA app available on Apple and Android smartphones. The application process includes:
- Providing your contact and passport details
- Uploading a valid digital photo
- Answering a set of questions
- Paying the £10 fee via credit or debit card
Most applicants will receive approval within three working days, with many being processed sooner. However, it is recommended to apply well in advance, as last-minute applications may not guarantee instant approval, unlike the US ESTA.
