Last year, the United Kingdom started enforcing its new entry and stay regulations, affecting millions of travelers worldwide.
Prior to that, traveling from the United States to Britain meant little to no hassle upon arrival: with eGates open to U.S. passport holders, all you had to do was rock up at the U.K. border, scan your document, and walk right in.
Now, Americans (and travelers from 83 other visa-exempt countries) need to apply for this travel document called UK ETA, which stands for ‘Electronic Travel Authorization‘. The easiest way to explain it is it’s a digital visa—without having one, you can’t travel to the U.K.
Interestingly enough, the United Kingdom’s so-called ‘Crown Dependencies’ had not been affected by the change.
Not to get into the tedious technicalities, a ‘Crown Dependency’ is basically a territory under the possession of the British Crown, and represented internationally by the United Kingdom, except its not part of the country itself. They have their own little thing going.
It seems this time, however, London is exercising whatever sovereignty it has over them:
ETA Will Be Rolled Out Across The Crown Dependencies From Spring
In a statement published this week, the Government of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands, revealed that an ETA will be required for travel to the Crown Dependencies from April 2026.
This will help align their visa policy with the UK, as there are no routine passport checks traveling between both.
Naturally, the same will apply to the neighboring Bailiwick of Guernsey, as well as the more remote Isle of Man, a territory in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland.
The good news is that, contrary to initial beliefs that individual ETAs would be needed for each of the autonomous territories, they will be using standard UK ETA, already in operation. It’s currently priced at £16 (roughly $21.60 at today’s conversion rate).
Until April 2026, however, direct travel from mainland Europe (e.g. France) to the Channel Islands, will not require obtaining an ETA. If you’re traveling via the United Kingdom, you will need to apply for the permit in advance.
Bailiwick of Jersey
The largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey has a fascinating mix of British and French cultures, evidenced in its architecture, ethnic makeup, and even the local language. It’s best known for its wild, sandy beaches, cliffside hiking paths, and WWII landmarks.
The capital, Saint Helier, has pedestrian-friendly streets lined with boutiques and British pubs galore. It’s also home to one of the most impressive medieval fortifications in Europe: Elizabeth Castle, a large castle with imposing ramparts located on a tidal islet.
For WWII enthusiasts, the Jersey War Tunnels are a must-see: ordered built by the Germans as an underground hospital, using forced labor from other enslaved Europeans. It’s now a museum documenting the 5-year German occupation of the island.
Bailiwick of Guernsey
The second-largest island in the Channel, Guernsey is pretty similar to Jersey in character: the capital, St. Peter Port, has a postcard-ready marina buzzing with fishing boats, a fort-protected harbor, and colorful houses in the surrounding hills.
The fort in question, Castle Cornet has been guarding the port since the late Middle Ages, and you can walk along its ramparts for panoramic views of St. Peter Port.
For the beach bums out there, Guernsey’s coastline is interspersed with hidden coves and sandy beaches, particularly along the southern stretch, and the best part? It’s all unruffled golden sands, and none of Europe’s usual crowds.
To my fellow culture buffs, Guernsey was the home of the then-exiled French writer Victor Hugo—as in, the same guy who wrote The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Misérables—and you can visit his place of residence at Hauteville House.
Isle of Man
The most remote of the autonomous dependencies, Isle of Man has its own distinct national identity, shaped by isolation, the Irish Sea trade, and Gaelic culture. It’s where you go for dramatic coastlines, quaint fishing villages dating back centuries, castles, and scenic train rides.
Douglas, the capital, boasts a long promenade, beautiful Victorian-era buildings, and horse-drawn trams. It’s the perfect base for exploring the island, and taking trips out to all of the following spots:
Castle Rushen, a Game of Thrones-like medieval castle, one of Europe’s best-preserved, with thick stone walls and towers you can climb for views over Castletown, a quaint coastal settlement.
Glen Maye is a lush inland park, crisscrossed by woodland walks and dotted with waterfalls, and if you’ve caught the Europe train bug lately, the island’s Steam Railway sits amidst the continent’s most scenic: it’s an old-school steam beauty slowly rattling through the countryside, towards a charming Port Erin.
How To Get A UK ETA For The Crown Dependencies
- Head over to Gov UK (or download the UK ETA app)
- Create an account and start an application
- Upload your passport and personal details
- Take a passport-style selfie (neutral backdrop, good lighting, all facial features clearly visible)
- Complete the security questions
- Submit the information
- Pay the UK ETA fee (£16)
Most UK ETAs are approved instantly, or within a few minutes (just check your mailbox upon applying), though their official deadline is 3 full working days, so best not to try your luck.
In other words, don’t leave applying until you’re about to board your flight, as airlines will deny you boarding if you don’t have a valid ETA.
An ETA is valid for 2 years from date of approval, or until your current passport expires if that’s sooner. In that case, it will no longer be valid, and you’ll need both a new passport and a new ETA.
The online document allows you to stay in the UK (and associated territories) for visits of up to 6 months at a time, and this includes England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
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