UK's new £10 ETA: what you need to know about the new travel authorisation

The UK government confirmed that its new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will cost £10 per applicant. This is a digital authorisation — not a traditional visa — and once approved, it's valid for multiple journeys over two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The pricing and structure are modelled on the US ESTA system, which many travellers already know.

For comparison, this is significantly cheaper and simpler than a traditional UK visitor visa, which involves longer processing and higher fees. The ETA process is done entirely online; there's no interview. When the scheme launches for Sri Lankan travellers, applying will be straightforward — submit your details online, pay the fee, and receive approval or a request for more information.