Americans face shock new visa fee to enter the United Kingdom

Americans planning to travel to the United Kingdom will have to pay an entrance fee starting next year.

The province’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) fees will go into effect on January 8, 2025, according to the British government.

Travelers from the US must pay $13.05 (£10) to obtain the authorization, which is digitally linked to their passport.

The permit is valid for multiple trips over two years, for stays of up to six months at a time, “or until the holder’s passport expires,” the government said.

U.S. citizens can apply for an ETA starting November 27, 2024, and can expect a response within at least three business days. Each traveler must have their own ETA, including any children.

The permit is valid for multiple triple flights over two years for stays of up to six months at a time, “or until the holder’s passport expires” (pictured: File photo of Newark Liberty Airport)

“Anyone wishing to travel to the UK, with the exception of British and Irish citizens, will require authorisation prior to their arrival,” the government said.

Seema Malhotra, the UK’s migration and citizenship minister, said the new changes were part of a “global expansion” of the program.

“The global expansion of ETA demonstrates our commitment to improving security through new technology and implementing a modern immigration system,” Malhorta said.

‘Digitalisation is ensuring a seamless experience for the millions of people who cross the border each year, including the visitors we welcome to the UK, who are expected to contribute over £32 billion to our tourism economy this year,’ she added.

The country first introduced the ETA last year for visitors to seven Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The UK also plans to extend ETAs to other countries and territories, including Canada, Japan, Mexico and Australia.

Seema Malhotra (pictured in 2017), the UK’s Minister for Migration and Citizenship, said the new changes were part of a “global expansion of ETA”

Every traveller must have their own ETA to enter the UK, including all children. (Image: London City Airport stock image)

In August, the European Union announced that Australian citizens will have to pay a new registration fee of $11.50 to travel to the continent in 2025.

Australians used to be able to travel to the continent, which is rich in history and culture, without a visa. But that is no longer the case.

The program will start in the first half of 2025.

It’s all part of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a new entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals of 60 countries, including Australians.

ETIAS is a new travel authorization requirement for all Australians traveling to 30 countries within Europe.

The participating countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.