The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is not a new rule for people traveling to the United Kingdom. Yet it still disrupts trips for visitors who make mistakes.
According to Home Office data through the end of March 2026, more than 30.5 million ETA applications have been made since the scheme began, including 6.4 million from U.S. nationals, 1.1 million from Canada and more than 853,000 from Australia.
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