Activities & latest news in Brazil

UK Entry Rules Changed ETA Needed : Pack Your Bags and Your ETA

Attention, globe-trotters! Starting January 8, 2025, if you're from one of 48 lucky non-European countries, including the US, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, you'll need a shiny new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before setting foot in the UK. Yes, even if you’ve been waltzing in visa-free for years, the party now requires a cover charge.

Think of the ETA as your virtual backstage pass to the UK. Without it? No tea, no crumpets, no Big Ben selfies—just a one-way ticket back to wherever you came from.

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The Rundown on the UK’s ETA

• Who needs it? As of January 8, you do if you're from one of those 48 countries. Come April 2, European visitors will join the ETA queue too.
• Who doesn’t? British and Irish citizens (because, duh) and anyone who already needs a visa.
• What does it cost? Just £10, which is basically two lattes in London. It covers multiple trips for up to six months and stays valid for two years.
• How to get it? Online or via a dedicated app, because in 2025, even immigration is going digital.

Which Countries Need to apply for an ETA?

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Australia
• The Bahamas
• Bahrain
• Barbados
• Belize
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Canada
• Chile
• Costa Rica
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British national overseas)
• Israel
• Japan
• Kiribati
• Kuwait
• Macao Special Administrative Region
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Marshall Islands
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Nauru
• New Zealand
• Nicaragua
• Oman
• Palau
• Panama
• Papua New Guinea
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Qatar
• Samoa
• Saudi Arabia
• Seychelles
• Singapore
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Taiwan (if you have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan)
• Tonga
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Tuvalu
• United Arab Emirates
• United States
• Uruguay

Why the Fuss?

The UK says this is all about digitising borders, boosting security, and making sure they’re keeping out more than just the rain. The ETA will even run a quick background check to ensure you’re not secretly an international supervillain. (And if you are? Well, better start Googling “UK visa application” now.)

What Happens If You Forget?

Here’s the deal: no ETA, no entry. Not even if you're just passing through Heathrow to change planes. Oh, and don’t bother asking your airline for a refund if you're denied—they’ll be too busy sticking to the small print.

How Does It Compare?

If this all sounds familiar, it’s because countries like the US (ESTA), Australia (ETA), and Canada (eTA) have been running similar systems for years. The EU’s ETIAS is also on its way in late 2025, so soon we’ll all be playing a global game of digital hopscotch just to visit each other.

Industry Says "We Got This"

Experts claim the travel industry is ready for the ETA rollout, thanks to years of dealing with similar setups elsewhere. The advice? Plan ahead, apply early, and double-check your travel documents, because nobody wants to start their holiday by getting turned away at the border.

What’s the Big Picture?

The UK is simply hopping on the digital bandwagon, aligning its travel protocols with global standards while making sure its borders are as secure as they are rainy. So, get your ETA sorted, pack your umbrella, and remember: Big Brother is watching, but at least he’s keeping it affordable. £10 for two years of hassle-free trips? Not too shabby.

UK Entry Rules Changed ETA Needed

Welcome to the future of travel—just don’t forget your virtual permission slip!

TAP Air Portugal Back in Porto Alegre in 2025 – And No, This Isn’t an April Fool’s Joke

After an 11-month hiatus (thanks to severe flooding), TAP Air Portugal is ready to rekindle the Lisbon-Porto Alegre, Brazil route. The Inaugural flight will take place on April 1, 2025 in which the Portuguese airline will take it’s first flight to Porto Alegre once again.

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The Details (Or, How to Escape to Brazil in Style)

• When: Three times a week—Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
• How: Onboard the swanky Airbus A330-900neo, TAP’s flying luxury bus for 298 passengers.
• Flight Times:
  • Depart Lisbon: 13:05, arrive Porto Alegre: 20:25.
  • Depart Porto Alegre: 21:55, land in Lisbon: 12:45.
• The Price Tag: Round-trip fares start at €699 (taxes included). That’s basically the cost of a new phone, but this one comes with palm trees and caipirinhas.

TAP Loves Brazil (And Brazil Loves TAP)

With nearly 100 weekly flights connecting Europe to 13 Brazilian cities, TAP is practically the matchmaker of the Atlantic. Whether you’re craving samba in Rio, business in São Paulo, or a gaucho experience in Porto Alegre, TAP’s got you covered.

Why Porto Alegre Is Worth the Flight

It’s the gateway to Southern Brazil, where the barbecue is hot, the customs are abundant, and the views are stunning. Never forgetting, the reopening of Salgado Filho International Airport at Porto Alegre is a major boost to the recovery of the area and a pointer to better days ahead. This is exciting news and makes a trip to Porto Alegre easier. 

TAP Air Portugal Back in Porto Alegre

So dust off your Portuguese phrasebook and pack your summer gear—TAP’s giving us a direct line back to Brazil’s southern charm. Obrigado, TAP, for making our Brazilian daydreams a reality again.

weather in Porto Alegre