Success for one from The Women’s Travel Group. !!! I applied for the new UK ETA ‘Electronic Travel Authorisation’ needed to enter the UK after January 8 2025. A similar application will be used for entering the European Union after January 8 2025. Consider applying before the crush….
Here is what to know about the UK one only:
Have ready:
Passport
Credit Card or Apple Pay
Smart phone
One other electronic device (my opinion).
Make up— so you look decent (I started the process in pajamas; vanity prevailed).
Load onto your phone the UK ETA app from the Apple Store or Google Play. Do not be fooled by visa companies pretending to be official. Below is an image of the correct UK government app.
Step by step, fill out the application, making sure there are no typos. I usually find the hardest part to complete is the address of The United States. Alphabetically, United States is close to the bottom so scroll carefully.
You will get an email to confirm your email/ application is valid. Here is where your other device is handy. It is easy to find the code on email on the phone. But you might then forget where the application is. So use a computer or other and get the confirmation code away from your phone. Enter it.
Answer a few questions about criminal convictions, dual nationality etc. They are yes and no for the main part.
You need to enter all your passport information. One question was does your passport have a chip. I did not know so entered no. (I now know it does, but was confused, while filling out the form).
Then, with the scanner in the UK ETA app, scan your passport photo page; you do not need a scanner in your phone. The application has it ready for you.
Next you take a photo of yourself with the camera provided in the app. (Here is where the make up came in handy).
Once the application is completed, enter a credit card; the 10 Pound payment converts to a little over $13. The app provides currency exchange rates for many currencies.
You get an email confirmation that your completed application has been received..
My approval came 5 minutes later. The approval says, you do not need to show anything when you enter the UK; your approval is recognized, as long as your information does not change. The approval is good for 2 years. Whew, success with another on line form again.
Travel Tips from award winning tour operator, The Women’s Travel Group. Reach us at https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com/contact/ or call us 646 309 5607. Many of our trips in 2025 will use the ETIAS; we inform you when you book.
