US, Canadian And Australian Travellers Now Face UK Entry Fee

Visitors from the United States and dozens of other countries now face a £10 ($12.50) fee to enter the UK (Credit: AFP)

Visitors to the UK from dozens of countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia, must now pay to enter Britain after a new visa-waiver entry system took effect on Wednesday.

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme -- similar to the ESTA system in the United States -- requires visitors who do not need a visa to enter Britain to acquire pre-travel authorisation.