ETA or Electronic Travel Authorization is a travel permit allowing millions of foreign nationals to pass through the UK border. ETA is digital permission to travel. ETA has come into effect from 8 January 2025 except for EU nationals. This means eligible non-EU nationals who did not require a visa to come for a short stay in the UK earlier will now need to apply for ETA to travel to the UK. British and Irish citizens will not require ETA. Countries that require a visa to enter the UK will still have to apply for a valid visa to come to the UK.   
For EU nationals it will come into effect from 5 March 2025 which means that eligible Europeans can apply for ETA from 5 March 2025 and with an ETA they can travel from 2 April 2025. UK’s ETA is similar to some of the other countries already have it in place that including the US, Australia, and Canada. ETA has been introduced to secure the UK’s borders and to prevent those entering the UK who pose a threat to the country.

How to apply?

The information on how you can apply for ETA is available on GOV.UK. You can also use the ‘UK ETA app’ to apply. The ‘UK ETA app’ is available on the Google Play store and Apple's App Store. You need to do the following to obtain an ETA:
? Pay a fee
? Submit your contact details
? Submit your passport details
? Submit your photo complying with the rules of digital photo
? Answer a set of questions  

Fee for ETA

The fee for ETA is £10. ETA will allow multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months over two years or until its holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.