The U.K. Government Moves to Raise ETA Visa Price by 60%

Just 10 days after the U.K.’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program went into effect, the U.K. government has proposed an increase in the application fee.

Under the proposal released Thursday, U.S. citizens traveling to the U.K. would have to pay £16 (about $19.50 USD), up from £10 (just over $12 USD), to apply for the ETA. The ETA is required for all North American travelers entering the U.K., and starting in April, the requirement will extend to all non-British and Irish European citizens.

The U.K.’s Home Office said the 60% proposed price increase is needed to “reduce the reliance of the migration and borders system” on local taxpayer funding.

Once approved, ETAs are valid for two years, allowing travelers to make multiple trips after a single approval. While the ETA was initially required for all travelers, including those connecting at a U.K. airport, the government announced this week that those transiting through the U.K. would not need to apply for or obtain approval.

“Following feedback from the aviation industry, the government has agreed a temporary exemption for passengers who transit airside, and therefore do not pass through UK border control,” the U.K.’s Home Office announced.

Concerns have been raised within the U.K., particularly from companies that rely on inbound tourism. The Tourism Alliance criticized the proposed increase, calling it “staggering.”

“It is staggering that the government has decided to further increase the costs for tourists visiting the U.K., especially given its ambition to grow inbound tourism numbers and deliver economic growth,” said Richard Toomer, executive director of the group.

“The government recently announced a target to grow our inbound tourism to 50 million visitors by 2030, up from 38 million in 2023. Hitting that target will not happen if the government continues viewing tourists simply as a cash cow,” he added.

If approved, the increase, along with similar increases to naturalization and citizenship applications, is forecasted to bring in an additional £269 million a year for the U.K.. The proposal will now be debated in Parliament and has to be approved by both Houses of the government.