Long-haul travellers unaware of the introduction of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) face being turned away when the new rule is introduced from tomorrow (Wednesday).
The warning came from Australian travel management firm Corporate Traveller as it urged businesses to be conscious of the ETA requirement for visa-exempt travellers from January 8.
The £10 ETA will apply to most non-European countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea.
ETAs are being introduced around the globe, with Australia among the first to introduce the system in 1996, followed by the US (2008), Canada (2015) and New Zealand (2019).
The UK and EU are following in a bid to improve border security and streamline entry processes for visa-exempt travellers.
The UK’s ETA is to be extended to 48 countries worldwide from January 8 and to 34 European countries from April 2.
There were more than 38 million visits to the UK last year, with the majority of travellers not needing to obtain a visa or any permission to travel first.
ETAs enable authorities to pre-screen inbound travellers against security databases before they arrive, track and trace their movements in and out of the country, ensure compliance with immigration laws, and prevent fraudulent documents through the inclusion of biometric data.
Corporate Traveller forecasts the new rules are unlikely to make any dent in travel growth to the UK but will require forward planning.
Tom Walley, managing director of the Flight Centre Travel Group SME business travel specialist, suggested that travellers can expect to spend less time at airports, but more time planning beforehand.
He said: “While expected to improve border security processes, the new UK ETA changes the landscape of visa-free travel and requires more forward planning from travellers. Many frequent travellers will be well-versed in this sort of process with the USA ESTA that is in effect.
“While travel management companies such as Corporate Traveller always ensure customers comply with new policies, I urge businesses that organise their own travel to stay informed about changing entry requirements for their 2025 travel destinations.
“Travellers that have been accustomed to visa-free travel for years and who land in the UK without the ETA will be turned away.
“From later this year, visitors will face the same requirements in the European Union.”
Corporate Traveller data shows that the UK was Australia’s second-largest international business travel destination in 2024, following Singapore.
Walley said: “The growth has been driven largely by the finance and insurance industries, which account for one in five bookings to the UK, compared with one in six bookings last year.
“Other key industries such as IT, government, and health care have also ramped up travel, as companies continue to recognise the value of meeting face to face to cement partnerships, grow sales and manage teams.
“Our booking data indicates Australia-UK business relationships are growing, with companies prioritising in-person meetings and expansion opportunities in the UK.”
More affordable airfares are adding to the momentum.
“Average economy fares between Australia and London dropped by approximately A$200 in the six months to November 2024, year on year, with carriers like Singapore Airlines, Etihad, and China Southern offering the best value,” Walley added.
Australian businesses have been taking slightly shorter, but more frequent international trips, with the average trip duration to the UK decreasing from 19 days in 2023 to 17 days last year.
Corporate Traveller reported a five per cent year on year uplift in business travel from Australia to the UK in the July to September quarter last year.
Heathrow remains the dominant UK destination for Australian business travellers, with one in five trips departing Sydney and landing in Heathrow, followed by Melbourne-Heathrow at just under one in five trips making up that route, then Brisbane, making up one in 10 trips.
Manchester is the next most popular airport for Australian business arrivals, followed by Gatwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle.