Mandatory entry permit to the UK starting February 25
Starting February 15, visitors from 85 countries, including the Republic of Moldova, Romania, the United States, Canada, and EU member states, will be required to present an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
According to the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the United Kingdom, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system will operate exclusively in digital format, in line with the new rules established by British authorities.
The ETA is a mandatory electronic authorization for all travelers who do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom and who intend to travel to or transit through the country.
This authorization is valid for multiple trips to the UK for stays of up to six consecutive months. It is valid for 2 years or until the holder's passport expires, whichever comes first. The cost of an ETA is currently £16 (approximately €19), but the UK government has indicated on its website that it plans to increase the fee to £20 in the future.
The easiest way to apply for an ETA is through the UK ETA app, available on Google Play or the Apple App Store. Applicants who do not have access to a smartphone can also apply via the British government website.
It is recommended to use only these official platforms. To apply for an ETA, applicants must pay the fee (£16), provide their contact and passport details, submit a valid photograph that meets the digital photo requirements published on the GOV.UK website, and answer a few questions. Travelers must use the same passport they used to apply for the ETA when they enter the UK, states the diplomatic mission.
A paid digital document aimed at enhancing security at the UK’s borders was introduced for European citizens at the beginning of April 2025. However, border agents have been flexible during checks.
As the transition period comes to an end, the Home Office in London has announced that "passengers without an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will be prevented from boarding" planes or trains to the UK.
The ETA was initially launched in 2023 for citizens of Qatar and later extended to other Gulf countries. By September 2025, a total of 19.6 million Electronic Travel Authorisations had been issued.
The ETA is now mandatory for citizens from 85 countries who do not require a visa for stays of less than six months or who do not have permission to remain in the UK.
This electronically linked ETA is usually granted within minutes of submitting an application online or through an app. The Home Office, however, states that the maximum processing time may take up to three working days.
This approach is similar to the American ESTA system and the ETIAS that the European Union plans to implement at the end of 2026.
