Canadian passport holders planning to visit or transit through the United Kingdom will soon need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), according to Maple News. The new measure takes effect on January 8, 2025, and falls under the UK’s broader rollout of updated border entry protocols.
The UK government is expanding its eTA system to include Canadian citizens—alongside travelers from the United States, Australia, and several other countries previously exempt from such pre-arrival approval. Until now, Canadians were allowed to enter the UK for up to six months without requiring prior travel authorization.
This rule applies to short-term travel for purposes such as tourism, business meetings, family visits, or short-term academic courses. The eTA is mandatory even for those transiting through the UK en route to another country.
Not all travelers will need to apply. Exemptions include individuals who currently hold a UK visa, have legal status to live, work, or study in the UK, or are British or Irish citizens. Additionally, those residing in Ireland and traveling from Ireland or nearby British territories (like Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man) are also exempt.
The eTA application can be completed online through the official UK government portal or via the UK ETA app. The process is simple and takes approximately 10 minutes. Applicants will need to submit a photo of themselves and an image of their passport. The fee for the application is £10 (about CAD $17.50) and is non-refundable, regardless of approval outcome.
Maple News reports that this shift reflects the UK’s increasing focus on digitizing entry systems and improving border security. While the regulation introduces an additional step for Canadian travelers, it brings the UK more in line with similar systems in place in Canada and the U.S.
Canadian citizens planning trips to the UK in 2025 and beyond are advised to apply for their eTA well in advance to avoid travel disruptions.