British visitors from dozens of nations could have to pay a brand new entry fee

If you might be traveling to the UK this week, you could have to apply for a travel authorization online before you permit.

Starting Wednesday, the United Kingdom would require U.S. residents, Canadian residents and nationals from greater than three dozen other countries to have a so-called electronic travel authorization (ETA).

Here's what travelers have to know:

The ETA is a pre-approval for travelers from countries that don’t require a visa within the UK.

The UK launched this system in 2024 for visiting residents from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It will come into force for quite a lot of other countries on Wednesday.

Travelers will still have to undergo immigration control upon arrival. The United States has similar digital authorization requirements for nationals of European Union countries, the United Kingdom, and other countries whose residents don’t require visas to enter the country. Later in 2025, EU countries would require them from US residents and nationals of other countries with similar criteria.

You don’t need an ETA if you have got a visa and are eligible to live, work or study within the UK

You can apply online using the UK ETA app Android And iPhone. The application costs £10 (about $12.50) and is valid for 2 years and for visits of as much as six months. The fee is paid by bank card.

To apply, travelers must upload photos of their passport and themselves.

Applicants could wait about three days for a call via email.

Every person eligible for the ETA needs one, including babies and youngsters.

You will need an ETA even in case you are traveling to a UK airport for a connecting flight to a different country.