PROVIDENCE, R.I — If you’re planning on traveling to the United Kingdom soon, you’re going to need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) first.
An ETA allows visitors who don’t need a visa to travel to the United Kingdom and visit for up to six months. The new travel requirement officially went into effect on Jan. 8.
Melanie Manzi, a travel agent with AAA Northeast, told 12 News the application process is fairly quick.
“Travelers can obtain [an ETA] through a seamless process on the U.K. government app or on the official website,” she said.
Manzi said travelers need to apply even if they’re passing through the U.K. via a connecting flight or cruise ship.
“You’re going to want to make sure that you have your passport, your credit card and a valid email address,” she explained. “It will allow you to stay in the U.K. for up to six months.”
The good news is, once the ETA application is completed, travelers won’t have to apply again for another two years, depending on when their passport expires.
“Within that two-year span, if your passport expires, you will need to obtain a new one,” she added.
An ETA costs roughly $13 and can take up to five business days to process. More than 48 countries and territories will be required to have an ETA to travel to the United Kingdom.
Travelers who already have a visa, are dual citizens or have permission to live, work or study in the United Kingdom do not need an ETA.
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