U.S. travelers now need digital authorization to enter U.K.

London bridge

Tampa Bay travelers who want to either enter or make a connection in the United Kingdom will need to obtain a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) beginning January 8, 2025.

The new digital registration is a mandatory process that costs £10 (a little over $12) and is being rolled out for U.S. citizens as part of a broader U.K. immigration check update. Travelers can apply onlineor through the U.K.'s ETA appfor iPhone or Android.

All travelers entering the U.K. are required to have their own ETA, including minors (parents can apply for their children). In all, citizens from 48 non-European countrieswill need ETAs for their trips.

The program is similar to the forthcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System(ETIAS), which has been delayed but is scheduled to roll out later in 2025.

The process takes about 10 minutes and requires you to answer questions, submit a photo and include a photo of your passport. Authorizations are typically granted within three business days but could take longer, the U.K. says.

Travelers will still have to go through border security when they arrive. This process is necessary for both travelers visiting the U.K. or making a connection on U.K. soil.

The ETA lasts for multiple entries over two years, for visits as long as six months, but is connected to your passport. If you get a new passport during those two years, you will have to get a new ETA.

Tampa International Airport offers two daily, nonstop routes to London, one to Heathrow and one to Gatwick. Travelers should make sure they have the proper documentation before departing.

For more information about the ETA program, visit the U.K. website here.