The European Union’s ETIAS visa waiver is currently on track to roll out in 2025, but first, the UK will introduce its ETA system on January 8.

While travellers could once simply show up and be cleared at the airport, they will now need pre-travel authorization to fly to the UK.

The ETA is the UK equivalent of the United States’ ESTA — a mandatory, pre-paid authorization to travel, with security clearance done in advance.

Anyone who doesn’t need a visa to travel to the UK will need an ETA to enter the UK.

The scheme debuted to Gulf Cooperation Council nationals in 2024, and the next stage is to roll it out to other non-European travellers, including the six million travellers from the US, Canada and Australia who enter the UK each year.

The full list of 48 states requiring the ETA can be found on the UK government website.

The scheme is for “short” visits to the UK of less than six months for tourism and business.

While the ETA has been referred to as a visa, it’s actually a visa waiver and travelers whose citizenship means they need a visa to enter the UK will still need to apply for a visa.

An ETA will cost travellers £10 (just under $12.50), and you can apply through the official app listed on the UK government website or directly online.

It requires that you upload a photo of your passport, scan and photograph yourself as you apply, upload the photo, and answer various questions about your plans, and a decision will normally be given within three days.

An ETA will be digitally linked to your passport and is valid for two years and allows multiple entries into the UK.