The United Kingdom has introduced a significant policy change requiring travelers from Oceania, including Tonga, to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering the UK.
Effective January 2025, the ETA costs £10 (approximately TOP 30, depending on exchange rates) and is part of the UK’s effort to modernize border controls and enhance security for visa-exempt visitors.
The ETA is a digital authorization linked to a traveler’s passport, similar to the United States’ ESTA. It is required for short stays, such as tourism, business, or transit. British and Irish citizens are exempt.
Applications can be submitted online or via a mobile app and require personal details, passport information, and travel plans. Once approved, the ETA is valid for two years or until the associated passport expires, allowing multiple entries for stays of up to six months per visit.
For Tongans, this introduces an additional step in travel preparation. Airlines may deny boarding to passengers without a valid ETA, even for transit.
Travel agencies in Tonga are assisting with awareness campaigns.