Electronic Travel Authorisations soon to be required for US Visitors to the UK

So this is new as of November 27, 2024 - US citizens have to start applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before visiting the UK, it's like an ESTA to the US.

"Who can apply from 27 November 2024

Nationalities from the following locations (including associated territories) can apply for an ETA from 27 November 2024.

They can travel to the UK with an ETA from 8 January 2025."

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-get-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

Good spot lyonaria for US citizens!

The ETA was brought in under The Nationality and Borders Act 2022. The ETA was discussed here in March 2023 https://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=100713.0

Those refused an ETA will need to apply for a visa and have that granted, to be able to board transport to the UK.

A British citizen cannot have an ETA or a visa. Those naturalised will need a British Citizen passport to board a plane to the UK. A first British Citizen passport sent outside of the UK, tends to take much longer than from within the UK.

Good spot lyonaria for US citizens!

The ETA was brought in under The Nationality and Borders Act 2022. The ETA was discussed here in March 2023 https://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=100713.0

Those refused an ETA will need to apply for a visa and have that granted, to be able to board transport to the UK.

A British citizen cannot have an ETA or a visa. Those naturalised will need a British Citizen passport to board a plane to the UK. A first British Citizen passport sent outside of the UK, tends to take much longer than from within the UK.

Not really in the scope here, but does this have any impact on Irish Citizens? From what I find, if you are resident in Ireland, no, but otherwise yes?

Not really in the scope here, but does this have any impact on Irish Citizens? From what I find, if you are resident in Ireland, no, but otherwise yes?

Under present rules, Irish passport holders will not need an ETA because they can live in the UK visa free. The Republic of Ireland or Ireland, is not on the list of citizens needing an ETA in the link lyonaria gave.

Foreign national residents in the Republic of Ireland not needing an ETA, was added later. They likely cross the Northern Ireland (UK) border a lot because of the shape of the border, plus food is cheaper for them in Northern Ireland. These will need a visa if they want to live in NI or on Britain.

Foreign nationals living in Northern Ireland do not need an ETA because they will have a UK visa, or a BRC under the Brexit EUSS (which also gives them an eVisa ready for when BRCs and BRPs end this year).

@Nan D. here is the relevant gov.uk link

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta#who-does-not-need-aneta

Who does not need an ETA

If you are a national of another country, you do not currently need an ETA. Check if your nationality can apply later.

You do not need an ETA if any of these apply to you:

    you have a visa
    you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme)
    you are a British or Irish citizen
    you are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport
    you live in Ireland and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man

Dual citizens

If you are a dual citizen with British or Irish citizenship, you do not need an ETA. Prove your permission to travel using your British passport, Irish passport or other passport containing a certificate of entitlement.[quote/]

Thanks. 

The Home Office press release yesterday_

UK opens pre-travel requirement to non-Europeans

Non-Europeans can now apply in advance for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and will need one to travel to the UK from January 2025.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-opens-pre-travel-requirement-to-non-europeans

From today all eligible non-European visitors can apply for an ETA and will need one to travel to the UK from 8 January 2025.

Hello, I know this may sound silly, but I am on a family visa my husband and I were married in the UK in 2023 and I was approved for the visa in Jan 24 after our marriage. Will the new ETA be problematic when I fly back to the UK from visiting my family in the USA? I'm so worried the airline agents on the US side are going to insist I need a ETA even though I'm a UK Visa Holder. I have never been asked to show my BRP (Which of course shows it expired Dec 2024) and I now have the E-Visa. I'm super confused about what documents I need to be showing on the US and both UK side when I enter. I also had an incident in the past in the US where Delta Airlines insisted I have a return trip from the USA to the UK even though I was a UK visa holder, they literally didn't care and refused to see my visa and thankfully I had booked a roundtrip from the US to the UK as I travel back and forth every 5 months. I'm very worried as the changes are in effect Jan 8th and I will be going back to the UK at the end of this month.

Hello, I know this may sound silly, but I am on a family visa my husband and I were married in the UK in 2023 and I was approved for the visa in Jan 24 after our marriage. Will the new ETA be problematic when I fly back to the UK from visiting my family in the USA? I'm so worried the airline agents on the US side are going to insist I need a ETA even though I'm a UK Visa Holder.

As the title states, the ETA is for those who want to enter the UK and who don't have prior permission to do so. Basically, the UK has ended all the countries that were classed as  "non-visa nationals"; where their citizens could ask for entry at the border; and joined countries like Australia, New Zealand. United States, and want to know who is hoping to travel to the UK. For the  European countries who are also "non-visa nationals", their citizens will also need an ETA before they travel the UK from 2 April.

Those not granted an ETA, will need to apply for a visa.

You already have a valid UK visa.

I have never been asked to show my BRP (Which of course shows it expired Dec 2024) and I now have the E-Visa. I'm super confused about what documents I need to be showing on the US and both UK side when I enter.

This is the UK government guidance to carriers, dated 13 December 2024.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/document-checks-and-charges-for-carriers/charging-procedures-a-guide-for-carriers-accessible-version#visas