Foreign travelers to the UK must now obtain travel permits

Starting Wednesday, February 25, visitors from 85 countries, including Singapore, will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling to the United Kingdom, the UK Interior Ministry announced. Travelers without an ETA will be denied boarding.

The ETA applies to all visitors who do not normally require a visa for entry and can be purchased online for £16 (around US$21.57). While the scheme was first introduced in 2023 and expanded to include European travelers in April last year, enforcement has now become strict. Airlines are instructed to prevent passengers from boarding if they do not hold a valid ETA, eVisa, or other accepted travel documentation.

Certain groups are exempt from the requirement, including British and Irish citizens, dual nationals, and those with permanent residency or the right to live in the UK.

Migration Minister Mike Tapp described the ETA as a “crucial measure to enhance border security while offering a more efficient and modern system for visitors and the public.”

The move aligns with broader post-Brexit border controls, similar to the European Union’s Entry/Exit System, which began last October for UK nationals entering EU countries. That system replaces manual passport stamping with digital records, though travelers have reported delays, and officials have warned of potential disruption during busy travel periods, such as Easter.