INDUSTRY NEWS

UK Introduces ETA System for Australian Travellers

Are you considering travelling to the UK in 2025 or beyond? You’ll now have one more box to tick before going through customs and heading off on your adventure, with the UK officially rolling out their new ETA Permit Scheme. In effect from now, Australians will need to apply for this digital permit in order to enter England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Required for any travel to the UK now, if you’re travelling in the coming weeks, months or even just considering booking a holiday to the UK, read on to learn everything you need to know – including where to apply.

Everything you need to know about the ETA Permit

What is the ETA Permit?

Designed to replace the UK’s former Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) Scheme, the ETA permit is an Electronic Travel Application that allows visitors to travel to the region. The ETA Permit has slowly been rolled out over the last few years, originally rolled out to travellers from the Middle East before rolling it out to all non-European travellers in early January 2025.

Valid for two years or until your passport expires, all visitors to the UK must obtain an ETA Permit with a few exceptions:

  • Dual British or Irish Citizens
  • Those who have an approved visa instead
  • British, Irish or Overseas Territory citizens
  • Those with permissions to live, work or study in the UK

Not the same as a Working Holiday Visa, an ETA does not permit visitors to undertake work in the UK, live in the UK via frequent visits or stay in the UK for longer than six months.

 

How Much Does an ETA Permit Cost?

Before entering the UK you’ll need to pay for an ETA permit, and it costs 10 British pounds – around $20 AUD depending on the exchange rate. While the permit is valid for two years, it’s not refundable if you change your mind – so ensure you consider this when organising your travel plans.

 

How Do I Get an ETA Permit?

Applying for an ETA permit should only take you ten minutes, and you can apply for an ETA Permit via two ways – through the ETA App available on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or directly via their website.

You will typically need a photo of your passport and yourself, and you’ll need to answer a couple of questions. It’s important to note you can’t save your application halfway through, so ensure you set out some time to do it in one go.

Once you pay and apply, your application should be approved within 3 days – if you have any concerns doing your application, you can contact your Travel Agent to assist.