All travellers to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission to travel in advance through either an ETA or an eVisa.
What is an ETA?
The ETA scheme has been introduced as part of the UK’s transformation and digitisation of the UK border. It is for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays in the UK.
Non-visa nationals travelling to the UK without a visa will have to obtain an ETA. An ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK. It is not a visa and does not permit entry into the UK. It provides in advance the requisite information to the UK Border Force about the visitor who is arriving at its border.
The scheme is similar to Canada’s ETA and USA’s ESTA(Electronic System for Travel Authorisation).
Who needs to apply for an ETA and when?
You must obtain an ETA if you are a non-visa national, EU/EEA and Swiss national (the scheme will come into effect for the later cohort in April 2025) and you are:
- coming to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study
- coming to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
- coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement
- transiting through the UK – including if you are not going through UK border control
The ETA scheme is being implemented in a phased manner based on nationality.
The ETA application process opened on 25 October 2023 for Qatari nationals for travel to the UK on or after 15 November 2023.
The ETA application process then opened on 1 February 2024 for nationals of Bahrain, Jordan (although Jordan has since been added to the list of visa national countries and its nationals need to obtain prior entry clearance), Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates for travel to the UK on or after 22 February 2024.
The ETA application process then opened on 27 November 2024 for all remaining non-visa nationals, except for Europeans, for travel to the UK on or after 8 January 2025. The ETA application process will open on 5 March 2025 for European nationals for travel to the UK on or after 2 April 2025.
Eligible visitors should apply for their ETA through the UK ETA app, which is quick and simple to use. Visitors can also apply on GOV.UK if they do not have access to a smartphone.
Cost of applying for an ETA and the length of its validity
An ETA costs £10. It permits multiple journeys, and lasts for two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. Once granted, ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and allow for stays of up to six months at a time – including both short trips and more extended stays.
ETA Processing time
The processing time is 72 hours. Most people get a decision within an hour of applying.
What happens if your ETA is refused?
If your ETA application is refused, you will need to apply for a visa if you wish to seek permission come to the UK.