Beginning on January 8, 2025, Canadian travellers visiting or transiting through the United Kingdom will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to their trip. Canadian travellers will be able to apply for an ETA starting on November 27, 2024.
The United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is an advance travel permission required from foreign nationals who intend to visit or transit the United Kingdom without a visa. An ETA will be required for anyone planning to visit the U.K. visa-free, but will not be required for British or Irish passport holders.
The ETA will be linked to the traveller’s passport and will cost 10 British pounds. It will permit multiple trips to the U.K. for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever is sooner. If you get a new passport, you will need to apply for a new ETA.
Once you apply, you will receive an email confirming that you have an ETA. It generally takes 3 business days to receive a decision. Travellers will still need to see a Border Force officer to enter the UK and an ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK.
More information on the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation, including a link to apply, can be found here, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta.
