Aussies stung with onerous fee to enter the UK

Everyone wishing to travel to the UK - including Australians - will need to pay for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter the country.

It will cost $20 and it is effective from January 2025.

The move is part of a UK government bid to digitise its border and immigration system and will cost $20 to apply online or using the UK ETA app.

From November 27, 2024, eligible non-Europeans who do not need a visa can apply for an ETA, which will be needed for travel into the UK from January 8, 2025. Each family member who is travelling to the UK needs their own ETA, even babies and children.

ETAs will take up to three days to process online, and applicants will receive an email confirming their ETA has been granted, at which point the ETA will be linked to their passport.

This will allow the UK government to undertake more robust security checks before people begin their journey to the region.

An ETA permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder's passport expires - whichever is sooner.

UK minister for migration and citizenship, Seema Malhotra, said the ETA would enable a smooth experience for "the millions of people who pass through the border every year".

"The worldwide expansion of the ETA demonstrates our commitment to enhance security through new technology and embedding a modern immigration system," she said.

Europeans will need an ETA from April 2, 2025, for which applications will open on March 5, 2025.

From October 1, the fee for travellers into New Zealand will be raised from $32 to $92 to ensure visitors contribute to public services and experiences.

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will be raised to allow the NZ tourism sector to grow, said NZ minister for tourism and hospitality, Matt Doocey.

"A [$92] IVL would generally make up less than 3 per cent of the total spending for an international visitor while in New Zealand, meaning it is unlikely to have a significant impact on visitor numbers," Mr Doocey said.

"Increasing the IVL means we can continue to grow international tourism to support economic growth while ensuring international visitors contribute to high-value conservation areas and projects, such as supporting biodiversity in national parks and other highly visited areas and improving visitor experiences on public conservation land."