Starting this week, visitors from numerous countries will be required to pay a new entry fee in the U.K.

• Before flying to the U.K., travelers from the U.S. and other countries must obtain an electronic travel authorization.
• The application costs £10 (about $12.50) to apply.
• Babies and children also need to have the authorization to enter.

Before traveling to the U.K. this week, you may need to apply for online travel authorization.

Starting Wednesday, individuals from over 36 countries, including the U.S. and Canada, will need an electronic travel authorization (ETA) to enter the U.K.

Here's what travelers need to know:

What is an electronic travel authorization?

A pre-authorization for travelers from countries where the U.K. does not need visas is called ETA.

The program for visiting citizens from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates was launched in the U.K. in 2024. On Wednesday, it will be extended to include additional countries.

Despite the changes, travelers from European Union countries, the U.K., and other countries without visa requirements will still need to clear immigration upon arrival in the U.S. In 2025, EU countries will require U.S. citizens and nationals from other countries with similar criteria to clear immigration.

If you have a visa and are authorized to live, work or study in the U.K., you do not need an ETA.

How do I get one?

The ETA app in the U.K. allows you to apply online for two years of access to the country for visits of up to six months. The application fee is £10, which is equivalent to about $12.50, and it is paid using a credit card.

To apply, travelers must submit photographs of their passport and a selfie.

How long does it take?

Applicants could wait about three days for a decision, sent via email.

What about children?

All eligible individuals, including infants and youngsters, must have one ETA.

What if I'm connecting in the U.K.?

You will need an ETA even if you are traveling to a U.K. airport for a connecting flight to another country.