My wife is traveling to India with a friend and going through London. There is a new visa requirement even for in transit visitors, and it is horrendous - took her 2.5 hours to complete and she isn't finished yet, because she needs her India visit to complete.

Why is she applying for an ETA. Transit passenger do not need it. Only need to pass through Passport Control.

quote:

Originally posted by Wesheltonj:
Why is she applying for an ETA. Transit passenger do not need it. Only need to pass through Passport Control.

This is a new requirement as of this year. From Uk.usembassy.gov:

Starting January 8, 2025, U.S. citizens traveling to the United Kingdom for short visits, tourism, or business, including those just passing through UK airports, will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) if they do not have a UK visa or legal residency in the UK or the Republic of Ireland. This requirement applies to all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland. The ETA is similar to the U.S. ESTA system and acts as a pre-clearance for travel. This change is part of the UK’s move towards a digital border system.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ap...does-not-need-an-eta

Who does not need an ETA

You do not need an ETA if:

you have a visa
you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)
you are transiting through a UK airport and you will not pass through border control - check with your airline if you are not sure
you are a British or Irish citizen
you are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport
you are travelling with a British National (Overseas) passport
you live in Ireland and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
you are a child travelling on the France-UK school trip travel information form
you are exempt from immigration control

Before you start, have your passport ready. It took me about 15 minutes with the app including downloading it. Got a response back within 5 minutes.