April 09, 2025
UK Government adds 60% price hike on its Electronic Travel Authourisation ETA for foreign nationals visiting the UK.
In a move that has sparked widespread outrage, the UK government announced as far back as January a significant increase in the cost of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, just months after its initial rollout. The fee for the ETA, which is mandatory for travellers from visa-exempt countries, has been hiked from £10 to £16—a staggering 60% increase.
The timing of this price hike has been particularly controversial. The ETA system was only fully implemented for European travellers on 2 April 2025, and within a week, the cost has been nearly doubled. This sudden increase has left many travellers feeling blindsided and frustrated.
Travel industry leaders have been quick to criticise the decision. Willie Walsh, former Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), described the move as a "self-inflicted blow to the UK’s tourism competitiveness". Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, echoed these sentiments, stating that the fee hike "makes little sense" given the UK's reliance on air connectivity for economic growth.
The UK Home Office has defended the increase, citing the need to reduce reliance on public funding for immigration infrastructure and to cover the administrative and security-related costs associated with processing millions of travellers. However, this justification has done little to quell the backlash.
Critics argue that the government is prioritising revenue generation over the interests of travellers and the tourism industry. The additional revenue, estimated to be around £269 million annually, is intended to enhance border security measures and improve efficiency. Yet, many believe this comes at the expense of making the UK a less attractive destination for short-term visitors and business travellers.
Adding fuel to the fire, comparisons have been drawn with similar systems in other countries. The upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), set to launch in late 2026, will cost just €7 and offer a similar validity period. This stark difference has led to further criticism of the UK government's decision, with many questioning why the UK’s ETA fee is significantly higher.
With the continued economic uncertainty sparked by president Donald Trump's Tarrifs, it seems humans have now become the new import/export comodities of the Global Tade War.
