TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION ETA VISA TO UK FROM APRIL 2025
The UK has introduced a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for travelers from visa-exempt countries and territories around the world. If you are from a country whose citizens can normally travel to the UK without a visa for short stays, you will now need to apply for an ETA before your trip. This applies not only to EU citizens, but also to eligible travelers from many other countries worldwide visiting the UK for tourism, business, short study, or certain transit purposes.
What does this mean for travelers?
Until now, many travelers from visa-exempt countries and territories could travel to the United Kingdom for short stays without first applying for a visa or separate travel permission. The UK is now replacing that arrangement for eligible nationalities with a new digital pre-travel requirement. This means that travelers from countries covered by the scheme must obtain permission before entering the UK, similar to systems already used by other countries.
This permission is part of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which the UK government is implementing for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays of up to 6 months and who do not already hold UK immigration status. Travelers must apply for the authorisation before their trip, usually through an online application. The ETA currently costs ยฃ96, most applicants receive a decision in minutes, and an application may include identity, suitability, and security checks. An ETA authorises travel to the UK, but it does not guarantee entry.
Is ETA Required for My Trip to the UK?
Travelers from many visa-exempt countries and territories worldwide must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering the UK. The ETA is a mandatory travel authorization for eligible visitors traveling for tourism, business, short-term study, or transit.
How Does ETA Work?
- Online Application: Travelers must complete an online application before departure by filling out a form, answering security questions, and paying a fee.
- Processing Time: Most ETA applications are processed quickly, but some may take longer depending on the review process.
- Security Check: Every application may be subject to security and suitability checks before approval is granted.
Who is required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom?
ETA is required for citizens from visa-exempt countries, including:
๐ฆ๐ฉ Andorra โข ๐ฆ๐ฌ Antigua and Barbuda โข ๐ฆ๐ท Argentina โข ๐ฆ๐บ Australia โข ๐ฆ๐น Austria โข ๐ง๐ธ The Bahamas โข ๐ง๐ญ Bahrain โข ๐ง๐ง Barbados โข ๐ง๐ช Belgium โข ๐ง๐ฟ Belize โข ๐ง๐ผ Botswana โข ๐ง๐ท Brazil โข ๐ง๐ณ Brunei โข ๐ง๐ฌ Bulgaria โข ๐จ๐ฆ Canada โข ๐จ๐ฑ Chile โข ๐จ๐ท Costa Rica โข ๐ญ๐ท Croatia โข ๐จ๐พ Cyprus โข ๐จ๐ฟ Czechia โข ๐ฉ๐ฐ Denmark โข ๐ช๐ช Estonia โข ๐ซ๐ฎ Finland โข ๐ซ๐ท France โข ๐ฉ๐ช Germany โข ๐ฌ๐ท Greece โข ๐ฌ๐ฉ Grenada โข ๐ฌ๐น Guatemala โข ๐ฌ๐พ Guyana โข ๐ญ๐ฐ Hong Kong โข ๐ญ๐บ Hungary โข ๐ฎ๐ธ Iceland โข ๐ฎ๐น Italy โข ๐ฎ๐ฑ Israel โข ๐ฏ๐ต Japan โข ๐ฐ๐ฎ Kiribati โข ๐ฐ๐ผ Kuwait โข ๐ฑ๐ป Latvia โข ๐ฑ๐ฎ Liechtenstein โข ๐ฑ๐น Lithuania โข ๐ฑ๐บ Luxembourg โข ๐ฒ๐ด Macao SAR โข ๐ฒ๐พ Malaysia โข ๐ฒ๐ป Maldives โข ๐ฒ๐น Malta โข ๐ฒ๐ญ Marshall Islands โข ๐ฒ๐บ Mauritius โข ๐ฒ๐ฝ Mexico โข ๐ซ๐ฒ Micronesia โข ๐ฒ๐จ Monaco โข ๐ณ๐ท Nauru โข ๐ณ๐ฑ Netherlands โข ๐ณ๐ฟ New Zealand โข ๐ณ๐ฎ Nicaragua โข ๐ณ๐ด Norway โข ๐ด๐ฒ Oman โข ๐ต๐ผ Palau โข ๐ต๐ฆ Panama โข ๐ต๐ฌ Papua New Guinea โข ๐ต๐พ Paraguay โข ๐ต๐ช Peru โข ๐ต๐ฑ Poland โข ๐ต๐น Portugal โข ๐ถ๐ฆ Qatar โข ๐ท๐ด Romania โข ๐ผ๐ธ Samoa โข ๐ธ๐ฒ San Marino โข ๐ธ๐ฆ Saudi Arabia โข ๐ธ๐จ Seychelles โข ๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore โข ๐ธ๐ง Solomon Islands โข ๐ฐ๐ท South Korea โข ๐ธ๐ฐ Slovakia โข ๐ธ๐ฎ Slovenia โข ๐ช๐ธ Spain โข ๐ฐ๐ณ St Kitts and Nevis โข ๐ฑ๐จ St Lucia โข ๐ป๐จ St Vincent and the Grenadines โข ๐ธ๐ช Sweden โข ๐จ๐ญ Switzerland โข ๐น๐ผ Taiwan โข ๐น๐ด Tonga โข ๐น๐ป Tuvalu โข ๐ฆ๐ช United Arab Emirates โข ๐บ๐ธ United States โข ๐บ๐พ Uruguay โข ๐ป๐ฆ Vatican City
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the UK ETA, and who needs it?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a system being introduced by the UK in April 2025. It applies to citizens of countries who previously did not need a visa, such as EU nations, and will cover short-term travel (tourism, business, transit, etc.).
2. When will ETA applications be open, and how much will it cost?
Applications for ETA will open in 2024, with implementation in April 2025. Our service fee is ยฃ96ย per application.
3. How do I apply for an ETA, and how long does it take?
Applications will be made online via the UK government website or mobile app. The process involves filling out basic personal information, answering security questions, and paying the fee. Most applications will be processed within 8-72 hours.
4. How long is the ETA valid, and how many times can I travel on it?
The ETA is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. It allows for multiple entries to the UK, with each visit lasting a maximum of 6 months.
5. Do I need to print my ETA?
No, the ETA is electronic and linked to your passport. Simply present the passport at the border, and your ETA will be verified automatically.
6. What happens if my ETA application is rejected?
If your ETA application is rejected, you may reapply or apply for a different visa type, such as a Standard Visitor Visa, which may involve a more detailed application process.
7. Will the ETA cover travel to Ireland or Schengen countries?
No, the ETA is valid only for travel to the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Separate entry conditions apply for Ireland and Schengen countries.
8. Will children need their own ETA?
Yes, each traveler, including children, will need their own ETA linked to their passport.
9. Are there any exceptions to ETA requirements?
Yes, Irish citizens and individuals with long-term visas for work, study, or residence in the UK are exempt from ETA requirements.
10. What should I do if I have more questions?
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@eta-apply.uk.