UK Introduces ETA for European Travellers Starting April 2025

📊 Difficulty Rating for English Learners:

5.5 / 10 – Intermediate Level

• Contains formal vocabulary and travel/legal terms (e.g. “authorisation,” “border officials,” “visa-exempt”)
• Suitable for learners with a B1/B2 level on the CEFR scale
• Clear sentence structure and useful real-world vocabulary

English Reading Practice

UK Introduces ETA for European Travellers Starting April 2025

From 2 April 2025, citizens from certain European countries will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the United Kingdom. The UK government has confirmed this new requirement as part of its ongoing efforts to improve border security and manage migration more effectively.

The ETA is not a visa. Instead, it is a form of digital permission that must be obtained prior to travelling. It will apply to visitors from countries that do not currently need a visa to enter the UK, including many EU member states.

Travellers must complete an online application and pay a small fee. The process is expected to be quick and straightforward, with most applications approved within 48 to 72 hours. However, travellers are advised to apply well in advance of their planned visit.

Importantly, having an ETA does not guarantee entry into the UK. Border officials will still have the authority to deny entry at the port of arrival. The ETA simply allows a person to travel to the UK border.

This change aligns the UK’s approach with that of other countries, such as the United States (ESTA) and Canada (eTA), which already use similar systems.

The ETA will initially apply to travellers from countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union, with plans to expand the requirement to other visa-exempt countries later in 2025.

The Home Office has launched a public information campaign to help travellers understand the new system and avoid travel disruptions.

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Sources:

• UK Home Office Official Blog – ETA Factsheet (March 2025)
• UK Government Website – Travel to the UK

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📚 Glossary (Key Vocabulary)

Authorisation (n.) — Official permission or approval to do something.

Migration (n.) — The movement of people from one place to another, often to live or work.

Visa-exempt (adj.) — Not required to have a visa to enter a country.

Border (n.) — The dividing line between two countries.

Aligns (v.) — Matches or becomes consistent with something.

Requirement (n.) — Something that must be done or met.

Straightforward (adj.) — Easy to understand or do; simple.

Disruptions (n.) — Events that cause problems or interrupt normal activity.

Initially (adv.) — At the beginning or start.

Fee (n.) — A payment made for a service or permission.

Listen to the article in British English!

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