UK to Raise ETA Travel Permit Cost by 60%, Sparks Industry Concerns

The UK Home Office recently announced that it intends to increase the cost of Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) from £10 to £16, representing a significant 60 percent hike.

The announcement is part of a broader initiative to reduce the migration and borders system’s dependence on taxpayer funding.

ETAs are digital travel authorizations that allow eligible individuals to journey to the UK without holding a visa. However, while an ETA authorizes travel to the UK, it does not guarantee entry. Upon arrival, travelers must still pass through immigration checks, where UK border authorities will determine if they meet all the requirements for entry into the country.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Friday voiced strong opposition to the increase of the cost of ETAs.

“Proposing to increase ETA costs just a week after the system was introduced is bewildering,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh. “If implemented it would be a self-inflicted blow to the UK’s tourism competitiveness.”

Tourism goals at odds with higher fees

IATA noted that in November, the UK government announced plans to boost annual tourist arrivals by 30 percent, aiming to reach 50 million by 2030. The association criticized the proposed ETA fee hike as counterproductive to these goals.

“Gouging these travelers with a 60 percent increase in the ETA is a very bad start,” Walsh said, adding that the additional cost would compound the burden of the Air Passenger Duty (APD) — already the highest travel tax in the world — which is set to rise again in April.

Walsh also highlighted the competitive disadvantage of the UK’s pricing. “Let’s not forget that travelers have choice, and the EU’s ETIAS will be far better value — costing about a third as much as this proposed pricing and lasting a year longer,” he said.

The UK’s aviation and tourism sectors currently support 1.6 million jobs and contribute $160.7 billion to the country’s GDP.

Walsh urged the government to adopt a more strategic view, noting that competitive pricing could yield significant long-term benefits.

“It makes no sense to discourage visitors with high costs even before they set foot in the country,” he said. “The UK has everything to gain by making itself a more cost-competitive travel destination, including the substantial tax revenues that travelers generate.”

ETA overview

Photo © Heathrow Airport

ETAs are being implemented globally for visitors to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays or who lack UK immigration status. Eligible non-Europeans are already required to have an ETA.

Starting March 5, eligible Europeans will also be able to apply for an ETA, which becomes mandatory for travel beginning April 2. Currently priced at £10, ETAs allow multiple journeys to the UK over two years or until the holder’s passport expires — whichever comes first.