Traveling to Northern Ireland and or the UK, you’ll need to apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Starting January 8th, travelers from the United States and Canada will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the U.K. as part of the new “digital immigration system,” designed to make border crossings quicker and more secure for those who do not currently need a visa or have U.K. immigration status.

• Visitors from the United States of America and Canada will need an ETA starting from January 8, 2025.
• You can apply for other people
• You cannot get a refund after you apply.
• An ETA will cost £10 (British Pounds) and each traveler including babies and children will be required to hold an ETA.
• An ETA will be linked to the traveler’s passport and will last for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires – whichever comes first.
• Travelers will be able to make multiple journeys of up to 6 months within those two years.
• British and Irish nationals will not require an ETA to travel to Northern Ireland.
• The ETA will be a requirement for entry to Northern Ireland for travelers entering directly or via the Republic of Ireland.

You will need:

• the passport you will travel with – not a photocopy or digital passport
• access to your emails
• a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay

You will need to upload or take photos of the:

• passport
• face of the person applying

You do not need to enter your travel details.

1. Take or upload a photo of the passport you will use to travel to the UK.
2. Scan your face with your device, if it has a camera. Children aged 9 and under will not be asked to scan their face.
3. Take or upload a photo of yourself.
4. Answer some questions about yourself.
5. Pay for your application.

You can apply here. They want you to use the apps but you can apply online. They suggest if you’re applying for someone else, to apply online.

Apply online Website

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

UK ETA APP

Apple App Store

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/uk-eta/id6444912481

Google Pay

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.gov.HomeOffice.ho3&pli=1

Official Blog from GOV.UK

https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-factsheet-november-2024/

Application of ETA has more info

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

Tourism Ireland Blog

https://www.tourismireland.com/international/en-us/eta