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Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme

An ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK.  The phased introduction of ETAs by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) started in early 2024, but will be fully rolled out for relevant visitors to the UK by 2 April 2025.

The scheme, which is currently only in force for nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, aims to enhance border security and reduce delays.

Whilst ETAs have only been partially introduced at present, their full rollout is imminent.  This means that all ‘non-visa nationals’ (that is, nationals of any countries who do not currently require a visa to visit the UK) must be prepared for the upcoming changes.

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Published 6 November 2024

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An ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK.  The phased introduction of ETAs by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) started in early 2024, but will be fully rolled out for relevant visitors to the UK by 2 April 2025.

The scheme, which is currently only in force for nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, aims to enhance border security and reduce delays.

Whilst ETAs have only been partially introduced at present, their full rollout is imminent.  This means that all ‘non-visa nationals’ (that is, nationals of any countries who do not currently require a visa to visit the UK) must be prepared for the upcoming changes.

What is an ETA?

An ETA is not a physical document; rather, it is a digital authorisation linked to the holder’s passport.

It costs £10 and is valid for 2 years or until the expiry of the holder’s passport, whichever is sooner.  Upon the expiry of an ETA, the holder will need to repay the fee in order to renew the ETA for another 2 year period.

The holder of an ETA will be able to stay in the UK for up to 6 months for the purposes of tourism, visiting family and/or friends, short-term study or limited business purposes.

Who needs an ETA?

Once the scheme is fully in force, anyone who does not currently need a visa to visit the UK (e.g. citizens of the USA or the European Union) will require an ETA to enter the country.

Conversely, an ETA will not be required for:

  • Anyone with a UK visa (including a Visitor visa);
  • British and Irish citizens;
  • Anyone with permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status holders under the EU Settlement Scheme);
  • Anyone travelling on a British Overseas Territories citizen passport; and
  • Anyone living in Ireland who is travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

Nevertheless, due to the phased rollout of the scheme, some non-visa nationals will be required to obtain an ETA earlier than others:

  • Non-visa nationals from Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are already required to have an ETA to enter the UK;
  • Non-European non-visa nationals will be required to have an ETA to enter the UK on or after 8 January 2025. This class of people can only begin to apply for an ETA from 27 November 2024; and
  • European non-visa nationals will be required to have an ETA to enter the UK on or after 2 April 2025. This class of people can only begin to apply for an ETA from 5 March 2025.

However, nationals of countries who already need a Visitor visa to visit the UK will be unaffected.  They must continue to apply for a Visitor visa before arriving in the UK as before and will not need to apply for an ETA.

If you are unsure whether nationals of your country will require an ETA, please see the following link, which includes a list of all nationalities who will require one: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-eta-national-list

How do I apply for an ETA?

To begin to apply for an ETA, the following link should be used: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

From there, applicants will be prompted to download the UK ETA app.  Making an application via the app is the quickest way for applicants to obtain an ETA.

If an applicant cannot use the app, they can also apply online via the following link: https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/how-to-apply

Once an application has been made, applicants will usually receive a decision within 3 working days.

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Shorter Reads

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme

An ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK.  The phased introduction of ETAs by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) started in early 2024, but will be fully rolled out for relevant visitors to the UK by 2 April 2025.

The scheme, which is currently only in force for nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, aims to enhance border security and reduce delays.

Whilst ETAs have only been partially introduced at present, their full rollout is imminent.  This means that all ‘non-visa nationals’ (that is, nationals of any countries who do not currently require a visa to visit the UK) must be prepared for the upcoming changes.

Published 6 November 2024

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An ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK.  The phased introduction of ETAs by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) started in early 2024, but will be fully rolled out for relevant visitors to the UK by 2 April 2025.

The scheme, which is currently only in force for nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, aims to enhance border security and reduce delays.

Whilst ETAs have only been partially introduced at present, their full rollout is imminent.  This means that all ‘non-visa nationals’ (that is, nationals of any countries who do not currently require a visa to visit the UK) must be prepared for the upcoming changes.

What is an ETA?

An ETA is not a physical document; rather, it is a digital authorisation linked to the holder’s passport.

It costs £10 and is valid for 2 years or until the expiry of the holder’s passport, whichever is sooner.  Upon the expiry of an ETA, the holder will need to repay the fee in order to renew the ETA for another 2 year period.

The holder of an ETA will be able to stay in the UK for up to 6 months for the purposes of tourism, visiting family and/or friends, short-term study or limited business purposes.

Who needs an ETA?

Once the scheme is fully in force, anyone who does not currently need a visa to visit the UK (e.g. citizens of the USA or the European Union) will require an ETA to enter the country.

Conversely, an ETA will not be required for:

  • Anyone with a UK visa (including a Visitor visa);
  • British and Irish citizens;
  • Anyone with permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status holders under the EU Settlement Scheme);
  • Anyone travelling on a British Overseas Territories citizen passport; and
  • Anyone living in Ireland who is travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

Nevertheless, due to the phased rollout of the scheme, some non-visa nationals will be required to obtain an ETA earlier than others:

  • Non-visa nationals from Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are already required to have an ETA to enter the UK;
  • Non-European non-visa nationals will be required to have an ETA to enter the UK on or after 8 January 2025. This class of people can only begin to apply for an ETA from 27 November 2024; and
  • European non-visa nationals will be required to have an ETA to enter the UK on or after 2 April 2025. This class of people can only begin to apply for an ETA from 5 March 2025.

However, nationals of countries who already need a Visitor visa to visit the UK will be unaffected.  They must continue to apply for a Visitor visa before arriving in the UK as before and will not need to apply for an ETA.

If you are unsure whether nationals of your country will require an ETA, please see the following link, which includes a list of all nationalities who will require one: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-eta-national-list

How do I apply for an ETA?

To begin to apply for an ETA, the following link should be used: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

From there, applicants will be prompted to download the UK ETA app.  Making an application via the app is the quickest way for applicants to obtain an ETA.

If an applicant cannot use the app, they can also apply online via the following link: https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/how-to-apply

Once an application has been made, applicants will usually receive a decision within 3 working days.

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