U.K announces new visa free travel waiver for Aussie travellers

The United Kingdom is set to introduce a new requirement for travellers entering from countries that do not need a visa to enter the UK.

The ETA or Electronic Travel Authorisation will cost £10 (around AUD$19), travellers can apply online at Gov.UK or the UK’s ETA app. An ETA will be electronically linked to the traveller’s passport.

Each traveller will need their own ETA, including children and babies and will be required from 15 November 2023, initially only for Qatar travellers and followed by a number of other nations from 22 February 2024.

Australians are expected to require an ETA, which acts not as a visa but as a visa waiver, by the end of 2024.

The application process will involve a series of questions surrounding the applicant’s trip with most receiving their decision within three working days.

An ETA will last for two years or until the holder’s passport expires and can be used to make multiple visits to the UK.

An ETA does not guarantee entry to the U.K. Travellers who are refused an ETA can still apply for; standard visitor, temporary work-creative worker and transit visas.

A new immigration system was also recently announced by the European Travel Information and Authority System (ETIAS). Giving Aussie travellers free movement through 30 countries in Europe from 2024.