Australians heading to the UK for a holiday or work trip now have to jump a new administrative hurdle.
A US-style digital permit system, the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) came into effect on 8 January for Australians (and more than 50 other nationalities). It requires travellers to fill out some details before they enter England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, and you need to get it sorted well before you travel.
Confused? Here’s what you should know.
What is an ETA?
Similar to the United States’ Esta system, the electronic travel authorisation is a relatively simple pre-approval permit to travel around the UK for short visits.
The permit, which can be applied for online or through an app, will set you back £10 (around $20) and lasts for two years.
It was introduced in 2023 by Britain’s former Conservative government for non-residents and visa holders to count how many people were entering and leaving the UK.
Initially, it only applied to people travelling from countries within the Middle East, but has now been expanded to most travellers from countries who do not need a full visa.
Who needs an ETA?
Anyone from Australia wanting to go on a holiday or visit friends and family in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland now needs to apply for an ETA.
If you are transiting through the UK – even if you are not going through border control – you also need to apply for the permit ahead of time.
The ETA allows visitors to stay for up to six months for tourism, business or short-term study purposes. Under the arrangement, a visitor cannot stay longer than six months, work or marry anyone. People intending to marry on their visit to the UK must apply for a specific marriage visitor visa.
If you are a dual citizen with British or Irish citizenship, you do not need to apply for an ETA if you travel on your British or Irish passport.
Most airlines, including Qantas and Emirates, will remind Australian passengers travelling to the UK about the new entry requirements but it is always a good idea to check Dfat’s Smartraveller for the latest advice.
How do I apply for an electronic travel authorisation?
The UK government offers travellers the option to apply for the £10 digital permit through an app or online.
You need your passport details and a payment method to complete the form. While the ETA doesn’t require your travel details, you need to supply a photo of your face in addition to your passport.
Most applications receive a decision within three working days, the UK government says – so make sure to apply well before your departure date.
The ETA permit is linked to the passport you apply with.
How can I be sure I’m not being scammed?
Anyone applying for an ETA should make sure they use the official site or app – because scammers are already trying to deceive travellers.
National Australia Bank has put scams around “bucket list moments” on its list of five scams to be most wary of in 2025. Scammers set up fake websites and social media posts to try to trick travellers into paying for fake visas.
The link to the official UK site to get an ETA is here, or you can download the official app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
