RCIC News. 
New UK travel rules affect all Canadian passport holders starting January 2025
On This Page You Will Find:
- Immediate action required for Canadian travelers to the UK starting January 8, 2025
- Step-by-step ETA application process that takes just minutes to complete
- Cost breakdown and timeline details every Canadian traveler must know
- Special rules for dual citizens that could save you time and money
- Common mistakes that could delay your UK travel plans
Summary:
Canadian travelers face a major change starting January 8, 2025. The UK now requires all Canadian passport holders to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before traveling—ending decades of visa-free entry. This £10 digital permit takes three days to process and allows multiple UK visits over two years. Dual British-Canadian citizens are exempt, but must travel on British passports to avoid complications. This isn't a travel ban, but rather the UK's new digital border system affecting millions of North American travelers.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Canadian passport holders must obtain a £10 ETA before traveling to the UK starting January 8, 2025
- The ETA allows multiple trips for up to 6 months each over 2 years or until passport expiry
- Processing takes 3 working days, so apply well before your travel date
- Dual British-Canadian citizens don't need an ETA but should travel on British passports
- This change affects all travel to the UK, including transit connections
Sarah Mitchell learned about the UK's new travel requirements the hard way. The Toronto marketing executive had booked a last-minute business trip to London for January 15th, only to discover at check-in that her Canadian passport was no longer sufficient. "I've traveled to the UK dozens of times over the years," she says. "Nobody told me the rules had changed."
Sarah's experience reflects a new reality for Canadian travelers. As of January 8, 2025, the era of simply showing up at the airport with your Canadian passport for UK travel has ended.
What Every Canadian Traveler Needs to Know
The United Kingdom has implemented a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for Canadian citizens, fundamentally changing how you'll travel to Britain. This isn't a travel ban—it's a pre-authorization requirement similar to the ESTA system Americans use or Canada's own eTA program for foreign visitors.
If you've traveled to the UK in the past with just your passport, those days are over. Every Canadian passport holder now needs digital permission before boarding their flight.
Who Must Apply for the New ETA
The requirement affects a broad range of travelers:
Canadian passport holders of all ages, including children and infants, must obtain an ETA for any UK travel. This includes business trips, tourism, visiting family, or even transit connections through UK airports.
Dual citizens face specific rules. If you hold both Canadian and British citizenship, you don't need an ETA—but there's a catch. UK authorities strongly recommend traveling on your British passport to avoid delays. If you don't have a valid British passport, you could face complications at boarding or border control.
Future expansion will affect even more travelers. Starting April 2, 2025, most European passport holders will also need ETAs, making this a global shift in UK border policy.
The Application Process: What You Need to Know
Applying for your ETA is straightforward, but timing matters. Here's what the process looks like:
Cost and timeline: The ETA costs £10 (approximately CAD$18) and typically processes within three working days. However, UK authorities recommend applying well in advance of your travel date.
Validity period: Your ETA allows unlimited trips to the UK for up to six months per visit. The authorization remains valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Application requirements: You'll need a valid Canadian passport, basic personal information, and travel details. The application is completed entirely online through the UK government's official ETA portal.
The process takes most applicants 10-15 minutes to complete, but don't wait until the last minute. Immigration lawyers report seeing travelers denied boarding because they assumed they could apply at the airport.
Why This Change Matters for Your Travel Plans
This requirement represents the UK's move toward a fully digital border system, bringing British entry requirements in line with other major destinations. Just as Canadians are familiar with applying for ESTA authorization before visiting the United States, UK travel now requires similar advance planning.
For frequent travelers, the two-year validity means you won't need to reapply for every trip. Business travelers making multiple UK visits will find the ETA covers all their journeys during the validity period.
For families, remember that every family member needs their own ETA, including infants and children. A family of four will pay £40 for two years of UK travel authorization.
For last-minute travelers, this change requires new habits. You can no longer book a spontaneous weekend in London without ensuring your ETA is approved first.
Special Considerations for Dual Citizens
If you hold both Canadian and British citizenship, you're navigating unique territory. While you don't legally need an ETA, your choice of passport at the airport matters significantly.
Using your British passport provides the smoothest experience. Border officers immediately recognize your right to enter the UK, and you'll use faster processing lanes reserved for British citizens.
Using your Canadian passport without an ETA will likely cause problems. Even if you can prove British citizenship at the border, airlines may deny boarding if your Canadian passport lacks the required ETA.
Immigration experts recommend dual citizens obtain a British passport specifically for UK travel, even if they primarily use their Canadian passport for other international travel.
Common Mistakes That Could Derail Your Trip
Several misunderstandings are already causing problems for Canadian travelers:
Assuming transit doesn't count: If you're connecting through UK airports to reach another destination, you still need an ETA. This catches many travelers off guard who never planned to leave the airport.
Waiting until travel day: Unlike some travel authorizations that process instantly, the UK ETA system requires up to three working days. Weekend and holiday applications may take longer.
Forgetting about children: Every traveler needs their own ETA, regardless of age. Parents sometimes assume children can travel on their authorization.
Using expired information: Some travel websites still show pre-January 8th requirements. Always verify current requirements through official UK government sources.
What This Means for Canada-UK Relations
This change reflects broader global trends in border security and digital travel management. The UK joins countries like Australia, the United States, and Canada itself in requiring advance authorization for visitors.
For the estimated 800,000 Canadians who visit the UK annually, this represents a fundamental shift in travel planning. However, it also promises more efficient border processing once travelers adapt to the new requirements.
The UK government frames this as modernization rather than restriction, emphasizing that approved travelers will experience faster entry processing and reduced wait times at immigration.
Planning Your Next UK Trip
If you're planning UK travel in the coming months, start your ETA application as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. The £10 cost is minimal compared to the disruption of being denied boarding.
For Canadian travelers, this change marks the end of an era of spontaneous UK travel. But with proper planning, the ETA system promises to make future UK visits more predictable and efficient.
The message is clear: the days of showing up at the airport with just your Canadian passport are over. Plan ahead, apply early, and ensure your UK adventures continue without interruption.
FAQ
Q: What exactly is the UK ETA requirement for Canadians and when did it start?
Starting January 8, 2025, all Canadian passport holders must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before traveling to the UK. This digital permit costs £10 (approximately CAD$18) and ends decades of visa-free entry for Canadians. The ETA isn't a travel ban—it's a pre-authorization system similar to the ESTA required for US travel or Canada's own eTA program. Once approved, your ETA allows unlimited trips to the UK for up to six months per visit and remains valid for two years or until your passport expires. This requirement applies to all forms of UK travel including tourism, business, family visits, and even transit connections through British airports.
Q: How do I apply for the UK ETA and how long does it take to get approved?
The ETA application is completed entirely online through the UK government's official portal and takes most people 10-15 minutes to complete. You'll need your valid Canadian passport, basic personal information, and travel details. The processing time is typically three working days, though UK authorities recommend applying well in advance of your travel date. Weekend and holiday applications may take longer to process. The £10 fee can be paid online during the application process. Immigration experts strongly advise against waiting until the last minute, as travelers have been denied boarding for assuming they could apply at the airport. Once approved, you'll receive digital confirmation that airlines can verify when you check in for your flight.
Q: Do children and infants need their own ETA, and what about family applications?
Yes, every traveler regardless of age needs their own individual ETA, including infants and children. There's no family application option—each person must have a separate authorization linked to their own passport. This means a family of four will pay £40 total for UK travel authorization. Parents or guardians can complete applications on behalf of minors, but each child still requires their own ETA approval before travel. This is one of the most common mistakes families make when planning UK trips. Remember that if any family member's ETA is denied or delayed, it could affect the entire family's travel plans, so apply for everyone simultaneously and well in advance of your departure date.
Q: I'm a dual British-Canadian citizen—do I need an ETA and which passport should I use?
Dual British-Canadian citizens don't legally need an ETA, but your passport choice is crucial for smooth travel. If you have a valid British passport, use it for UK travel—you'll access faster processing lanes and avoid any ETA-related complications. However, if you travel on your Canadian passport without an ETA, you'll likely face problems. Airlines may deny boarding even if you can prove British citizenship later, since their systems check for required authorizations before departure. Immigration experts recommend dual citizens obtain or renew their British passport specifically for UK travel. If you don't have a current British passport and need to travel urgently on your Canadian passport, you should still apply for an ETA to avoid boarding issues, even though you're technically exempt from the requirement.
Q: Does the ETA requirement apply to transit passengers connecting through UK airports?
Yes, the ETA requirement applies to all travelers entering UK airports, including those making transit connections to other destinations. This catches many Canadians off guard who never planned to leave the airport or enter the UK officially. Whether you're flying Toronto to London, or Toronto to Amsterdam with a connection in London, you need an ETA if you hold a Canadian passport. This rule applies even for short layovers where you remain in the international transit area. The only exception would be if you're traveling on a British passport as a dual citizen. Many travelers have been surprised by this requirement when booking connecting flights through London, Manchester, or other UK airports, so always factor in ETA requirements when choosing flight routes that involve UK connections.
Q: What are the most common mistakes Canadians are making with the new ETA requirement?
The biggest mistake is assuming the old rules still apply and showing up at the airport without an ETA. Other frequent errors include waiting until travel day to apply (processing takes up to three working days), forgetting that children need individual ETAs, and not realizing transit passengers need authorization. Many travelers are also using outdated information from websites that haven't updated their UK entry requirements since January 8, 2025. Some dual citizens are traveling on Canadian passports without ETAs, assuming their British citizenship will solve problems at the airport—but airlines may deny boarding before you can explain your status. Finally, some Canadians are confusing this with other travel authorizations they hold, not realizing the UK ETA is separate from US ESTA or other permits. Always verify current requirements through official UK government sources before traveling.
Q: How will this change affect frequent business travelers and what are the long-term implications?
For frequent business travelers, the two-year ETA validity actually simplifies multiple UK trips compared to applying for individual visas. Once approved, your £10 authorization covers unlimited business visits for up to six months each until your passport expires or the ETA's two-year term ends. However, this requires a fundamental shift in travel planning—spontaneous UK business trips are no longer possible without advance authorization. Companies should factor ETA applications into their travel policies and ensure employees apply well before urgent business needs arise. The UK government promises that approved travelers will experience faster border processing and reduced immigration wait times. This change aligns UK entry requirements with global trends, as most major destinations now require some form of advance authorization. For the estimated 800,000 Canadians who visit the UK annually, this represents a permanent shift toward digital travel planning and border management.
