“New Travel Permit Requirement for Canadians Visiting the U.K.: What You Need to Know!”

Canadians heading to the United Kingdom will now be required to apply for and pay for a travel permit — not a visa — prior to entering the nation.

The U.K.’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which launched on Wednesday, is mandatory for short-term stays of up to six months for all foreign visitors who do not need a visa to enter the country.

Unlike a visa, the ETA will be sent as an email confirmation rather than being stamped or attached in a passport.

The ETA is priced at approximately $18, allowing tourists to stay in the U.K. for a maximum duration of six months per visit.

This permit can be acquired online and allows for multiple entries over two years.

“ETAs are linked digitally to a traveller’s passport, ensuring that more stringent security checks are conducted before individuals embark on their journey to the U.K., aiding in the prevention of our immigration system’s exploitation,” states the U.K. government on its site.

The pre-approval “aligns with the strategies many other nations have adopted regarding border security, including the U.S. and Australia,” according to the U.K.

Holders of Canadian passports do not require a tourist visa for visits lasting up to six months in the U.K., but a business visa, work permit, or student visa is necessary.

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Canada’s travel advisory for the U.K. indicates that Canadians must apply for the ETA prior to traveling to or transiting through the U.K.

ETA applications commenced for visitors from numerous nations, including Canada, in November 2024.

The program will further extend to additional nationalities in March.

The processing time for applications is approximately three days but could take longer, as per the U.K. government.

The permit is applicable for two years or until the expiration of an individual’s passport, whichever occurs first.

The U.K.’s initiative resembles the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), whose launch has seen delays.

Upon the launch of ETIAS, Canadian passport holders and other visa-exempt nationalities traveling to any of these 30 European countries for periods of up to 90 days will need to apply for a permit.

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