UK’s New ETA Requirement: Implications for Business Travel
Corporate Traveller is urging businesses to be aware of the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement for visa-exempt travellers starting on January 8, 2025.
Corporate Traveller forecasts that the new rules won’t significantly impact the rate of travel growth to the UK, but will necessitate more planning in advance.
During the past years, countries around the world have been adopting ETA systems, with Australia being one of the first to implement it in 1996, followed by the US in 2008, Canada in 2015, and New Zealand in 2019. This year, the UK and EU will also introduce similar measures aimed at enhancing border security and simplifying entry for visa-exempt travelers.
ETAs facilitate pre-screening of incoming travellers against security databases prior to their arrival, monitor their movements within the country, ensure compliance with immigration laws, and mitigate fraudulent documentation through the inclusion of biometric data (with facial recognition as part of the UK ETA).
The upcoming UK ETA will cost £10 (AUD$20) and will apply to most non-European nations, including citizens from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea.
Tom Walley, Global Managing Director of Corporate Traveller, stated, “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 already be familiar with similar processes as seen with the USA’s ESTA.”
He added, “Travel management companies like Corporate Traveller ensure that clients comply with emerging regulations; however, I encourage businesses managing their own travel to remain updated on changing entry prerequisites for their destinations in 2025.”
“If past visa-free travelers attempt to enter the UK without an ETA, they will be denied entry. From later this year, similar conditions will be required in European Union countries as well.”
Data from Corporate Traveller indicates the UK ranked as Australia’s second-largest international business travel destination in 2024, just behind Singapore.
Tom further remarked, “This growth has been primarily supported by the finance and insurance sectors, which constituted one in five bookings to the UK, compared to one in six the previous year.”
Other key sectors, such as IT, government, and healthcare, have also increased their travel activities, as companies recognize the significant impact of personal meetings on strengthening partnerships, boosting sales, and managing teams effectively.
Moreover, decreasing airfares are fueling this trend. Tom highlighted that “Average economy costs between Australia and London dropped by about AUD$200 over the past six months on a year-over-year basis, with airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Etihad, and China Southern providing the best deals.”
Australian corporations have been opting for slightly shorter yet more frequent international trips. For travel to the UK, the average duration has slightly decreased from 19 days in 2023 to 17 days in 2024.
London Heathrow continues to be the primary destination for Australian business travelers, with one in five trips originating from Sydney landing there; Melbourne-Heathrow follows closely, while Brisbane serves one in ten travelers.
After Heathrow, Manchester stands as the second most popular airport for Australian business arrivals, succeeded by Gatwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Newcastle.
