The Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA, kicks in on January 8 for travelers from 48 countries around the world, when entering the UK. The ETA – which must be applied for before travel — will last two years and cost $12.

Traveling to the United Kingdom is about to get more expensive thanks to the country’s plans to implement a new electronic travel authorization (ETA) fee this week.

Those visiting the United Kingdom for more than six months will need to apply for a visa instead, the country's government says.

US service members stationed in the UK are exempt from a new British arrival procedure, while those based in continental Europe will need to sign up for authorization like most other nonresident visitors before they travel.

It applies to travelers from non-European countries.

Travelers may have been spared from Europe’s new entrance fee in 2024, but they won’t be able to avoid it any longer. After delays on the European Union’s ETIAS visa waiver, or European Travel Information and Authorisation System,

Most individuals who are visiting the UK or transiting through the UK, and who are exempt from obtaining a visitor visa, will now need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to travel.