Canadians traveling to the United Kingdom will now need to apply for and pay for a travel permit — not a visa — before entering the country.
the UK electronic travel authorization (ETA), which was introduced on Wednesday, is required for short-term visits of up to six months for all foreign travelers who do not require a visa to enter the country.
The ETA will be an email confirmation in lieu of a visa, which is usually stamped or pasted inside the passport.
An ETA costs around $18 and allows travelers to stay in the UK for a maximum of six months at a time.
It can be obtained online and allows multiple visits over the course of two years.
“ETAs are digitally linked to a traveler’s passport and ensure stricter security checks are in place before people begin their journey to the UK, helping to prevent abuse of our immigration system.” The UK government states on its website.
The UK says the advance authorization is “in line with the approach taken by many other countries to border security, including the United States and Australia”.
Canadian passport holders do not need a tourist visa for stays of up to six months in the UK, but a business visa, work permit or student visa is required.
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Canadian travel advice for the United Kingdom It states that Canadians will need to apply for an ETA before traveling to or transiting through the United Kingdom
Applications for the ETA open to visitors from dozens of countries, including Canada, in November 2024.
The program will expand to include more nationalities in March.
The UK Government says the application process takes around three days but it can also take longer.
The permit is valid for two years or until the person’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
The UK scheme is similar to the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), the launch of which was delayed.
When ETIAS launches, Canadian passport holders and other visa-exempt citizens will travel to Any of these 30 European countries For up to 90 days, you will have to apply for a permit.
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