[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This month, Jack Witt’s Active World Journeys travel blog talks about the “New UK Travel Requirements.”
Traveling to the UK just got a bit more tedious for us Americans. We now need to apply ahead of time for a visa waiver program called the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). You can apply on the UK’s official ETA website. Be ready to take some photos of yourself, scan your passport, provide contact information, answer a handful of background questions, and pay the fee by credit card (about $13). They’ll in turn send you approval by email within three business days.
Now, this ETA thing isn’t to be confused with the new requirements for Americans traveling to Europe Union countries (places such as Spain, Germany, Italy). That visa waiver program is going to be called the ETIAS and it’s not quite ready yet but expected to be rolled out in the summer of 2025. Stay tuned here for more info on that one.

Now, back to the UK’s ETA program. Our gate agents here in the USA are going to be the ones enforcing that, so you won’t be able to board your flight from the USA to the UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales) if you don’t have it. Most everyone will be approved for it, but just in case, it’s best to apply for it before you book your flights so you’re not stuck with a plane ticket you can’t use. If you are approved, however, the ETA is good for a full two years.
Important to note: Even if you’re flying through the UK en route to somewhere else (such as a layover in London’s Heathrow on your way to somewhere in Europe like Greece) you still need to have that ETA.
I know, all this sounds like they are being unfair to us Americans. However, the United Kingdom is basically emulating the United States, which already has a nearly identical system (the ESTA) for non-visa travelers. Other nations (like Australia and New Zealand) also have similar digital stamps; and as I mentioned, the European Union plans to introduce their version, called ETIAS, very soon.
It’s an extra hoop to jump through now, but we can do it. Happy travels everyone!
Cheers,
Jack Witt, MS, CPT
Fitness and Health Coach
Individuals / Groups / Corporate
310.562.5629 Cell / 818.760.3891 Main
Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn / YouTube
Magical New Zealand Tour – March 19-31, 2025 – Click here