Under the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, certain travellers, including non-visa nationals, including those entering the UK under the Creative Worker Concession or to transit, will have to secure authorisation in advance of coming to the UK.
In this guide, we explain what the UK ETA is, who will need an ETA and how to apply. We also look at how much an ETA will cost, how long an ETA will last and the process of travelling to the UK with an ETA. Finally, we look at what happens if you are denied an ETA and highlight the risks of travelling without an ETA where one is required under the rules.
What is an ETA?
The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is the UK’s new security system under which certain visitors must be pre-screened prior to travel. Authorisation is then electronically linked to the recipient’s passport. The ETA is similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, also known as ESTA, used for travel to the USA.
Under the existing rules in the UK, hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals, known as non-visa nationals, are currently permitted to travel to the UK without a visa.
Once the new ETA system is fully in force, with the exception of British or Irish citizens, everyone (including children) who either enters or transits through the UK will require permission before they travel. This means that if you were previously eligible to visit the UK without a visa, and are not already legally resident in the UK, you will soon need an ETA. The rules for visa-nationals remain unchanged, with the requirement to apply for the relevant visa, such as the Standard Visitor Visa or Transit visa.
The ETA is not a visa. Under the new rules, nationals of so-called non-visa national countries will still be able to travel to the UK as visitors without needing a visa, but they will however need to secure pre-approval through ETA.
The scheme is designed to improve UK border security, providing more information about non-visa visitors. It is also hoped that advance screening will reduce the number of people denied entry on arrival in the UK, such as those with a serious criminal record or previous immigration violations, as they will not be permitted to travel.
Who needs an ETA?
The ETA is a new requirement being rolled out for travellers who do not need a visa to visit the UK, so-called ‘non-visa nationals’. It will give eligible individuals advance permission to travel to the UK.
Since 1 February 2024, the ETA has been open to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals travelling to the UK from 22 February 2024. The GCC comprises the following nations: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Non-visa nationals who are not from one of these countries do not yet need an ETA.
By 8 January 2025, all non-European visitors will need an ETA, with European nationals required to obtain one from 2 April 2025.
Note that Jordan was removed from the ETA scheme in September 2024 and is currently on the UK’s visa nationals list.
This development marks the next stage in the phased roll out of the ETA, which will apply to all visitors to the UK who do not need a visa for stays of less than six months, or who do not have a valid UK immigration status prior to travelling. The UK Government has advised it intends to extend the programme to other nationalities, potentially by 2025.
If you are a national of a relevant non-visa national country, you will need an ETA to come to the UK for a period of up to 6 months for the purposes of tourism, visiting family and friends, business trips or short-term study. You will also need an ETA to come to the UK as a non-visa national for a period of up to 3 months under the Creative Worker visa concession, or even to transit through the UK to another country.
Importantly, you will not need an ETA if you have any of the following:
a. a British or Irish passport
b. permission to either live, work and/or study in the UK
c. a valid visa to be able to enter the UK.
For those living in Ireland who are not Irish citizens, you will not need an ETA if you are legally resident in Ireland and you do not need a visa to enter the UK, provided you will be entering the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man. You will be able to prove that you live in Ireland by showing a number of different documents including, among various others, an Irish Residence Permit or an Irish driving licence, provided this document is an original, issued by the Irish government and valid at the time of travel.
How to apply for an ETA
To apply for an ETA, you will need to use the UK ETA app or apply online at GOV.UK. Each traveller must get their own ETA, including children and babies, although an adult can apply on behalf of family members. Having submitted an ETA application, you should get a decision within 3 working days, although you may get a quicker decision.
In some cases, it will take longer than 3 working days to receive a decision if further background and other checks are needed. As such, once the ETA requirements come into force, you should not book any travel to the UK before you have been granted an ETA.
How much is an ETA?
It costs £10 per applicant to apply for authorisation under the ETA scheme.
If an application is approved, you will receive an email confirmation. The successful ETA will then be linked electronically to the passport that you applied with.
If your ETA application is denied, you will not be entitled to a refund of your fee. You will also need to apply for a visa in advance of travel from the Home Office to be able to come to the UK.
How long does an ETA last?
Once you have been successfully granted an ETA, this will last for a maximum period of 2 years. However, if your passport expires in less than 2 years, you will need to get a new ETA. This is because your ETA is electronically linked to the passport that you applied with.
During the ETA’s 2-year validity period, or until the passport you applied with expires, whichever is sooner, you can use your ETA to make multiple visits to the UK. However, you must use the same passport to travel with, or risk being refused travel or entry to the UK. That passport must also be valid for the entire duration of your UK stay.
How do you travel with an ETA?
Once you are in possession of an ETA, this simply gives you advance permission to travel to the UK. This does not alter the requirement to go through passport control, using either an ePassport gate, if you are eligible, or to see a Border Force officer to enter the UK.
An ETA also does not guarantee entry to the UK, where you may still be refused permission to enter if Border Force officials are not satisfied that your intentions are genuine or that you meet the relevant requirements under the visitor rules. It is therefore important to carry with you sufficient documentation, either physical or electronic, to be able to satisfy officials of the purpose of your trip. Additionally, you should have documentary proof of where you will be staying in the UK, the funds available to you to support yourself during your stay, as well as evidence of your return flight or onward journey.
Strictly speaking, you do not need to carry a paper printout of your ETA when travelling to the UK, although it may be helpful to print the confirmation email and keep this with you.
Denied an ETA for the UK?
When it comes to permission to travel to the UK, the rules are strict. This means that if you are denied an ETA, where one is needed, you will instead need to apply for a suitable visa. The type of visa you will need will depend on the purpose of your trip, including:
- a Standard Visitor visa: to visit the UK for tourism, business, a short course of study, and other permitted activities, including visiting as an academic or for medical reasons
- a Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa: to come to the UK as a creative worker
- a Transit visa: to transit through the UK, including where you are not going through UK border control but remaining in the airport waiting for a connecting flight.
Standard Visitor visa
To be eligible for a Standard Visitor visa, in the same way that you must abide by the visitor rules when travelling under an ETA, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- be genuinely seeking to come the UK for a purpose permitted under the rules
- be able to support yourself for the duration of your stay in the UK
- be able to pay the reasonable costs relating to your UK visit, without undertaking paid work or accessing public funds, including the cost of your return or onward journey
- not be intending to undertake any prohibited activities during your stay in the UK
- be intending to leave the UK at the end of your permitted stay
- not be intending to live in the UK for extended periods of time through either frequent or successive visits, nor be trying to make the UK your main home.
Until such time that non-visa nationals can continue to travel to the UK visa-free and without an ETA, they will also need to meet these requirements when seeking entry.
Creative Worker visa
A Creative Worker visa is for someone coming to the UK to temporarily work in the creative industries, for example, as an actor, musician, dancer or film crew member.
To be eligible for a Creative Worker visa under the Temporary Worker route, you must have a sponsorship certificate from a licensed sponsor and the work you will be doing in the UK must relate to the work of your UK-based sponsor organisation. You must also be paid a minimum salary and have sufficient funds to support yourself on arrival in the UK.
UK transit visa
There are two types of Transit visa for the UK. You will need to apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa if you will be changing flights from within the UK and will not be going through border control. If you are going through border control but then leaving the UK within a period of 48 hours, you will instead need to apply for a Visitor in Transit visa.
You will also need a Visitor in Transit visa if you need to frequently pass through the UK over a period of more than 6 months, although if you are staying in the UK at any one time for a period of more than 48 hours, you will need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
To apply for either a Direct Airside Transit visa or a Visitor in Transit visa, you will need a current passport or other valid travel document. You may be asked to prove that your onward journey to your destination country is booked or confirmed, such as a flight booking email, or a copy of your ticket or boarding pass. Further, if you are not a national of your destination country, you may need to provide evidence that you are allowed to enter that country, such as a residence permit, green card or valid visa. You may also need to explain why you are travelling there, providing details of where you will be staying.
Travelling to the UK without an ETA
If you attempt to travel to the UK without a valid ETA, where one is required in due course, it is likely that you will not be permitted to board a UK-bound carrier. This essentially means that if you are travelling to the UK, for example, by air, you will be prohibited from boarding your flight. Additionally, even if you are allowed to board your flight, you may then be refused entry on arrival by UK Border Officials.
It is also worth noting that an ETA will not replace the requirement for a visa where one is currently needed, for example, for the purposes of paid employment or long-term study. This means that if you travel to the UK on an ETA for a reason other than one permitted under the visitor rules, you may again be refused entry in the event that Border Officials suspect that you are fraudulently using an ETA to gain entry to the UK on an unlawful basis.
UK ETA FAQs
What is the ETA for the UK?
The ETA is the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation system, which pre-screens certain visitors to the UK via an online application before they travel.
What does ETA mean?
Similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) in the United States, ETA is an acronym for “Electronic Travel Authorisation” and is designed to screen certain ‘non-visa’ national visitors prior to travel to the UK.
Do I need an ETA for the UK in 2024?
As at March 2024, the ETA is open only to nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), but a phased roll out until 2025 is in place which is expected to cover all so-called ‘non-visa’ nationals who would not typically need a visa to visit the UK.
Who needs an ETA for UK?
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK, with more nationalities being added to the ETA scheme later.
What is the ETA requirement?
The ETA, or system for Electronic Travel Authorisation, is a new security system being introduced in the UK for non-visa nationals to be screened prior to travel. This is similar to America’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Who needs to apply for an ETA?
All non-British and non-Irish nationals wishing to travel to the UK will need an ETA, even those simply transiting through the UK, such as changing planes at Heathrow. Nationals from countries requiring visas will not need an ETA but must apply for an eVisa instead.
When does the ETA scheme come into effect?
The ETA rollout began with Qatari nationals on 15 November 2023 and will extend to certain Middle Eastern countries in February 2024. By 8 January 2025, all non-European visitors will need an ETA, with European nationals required to obtain one from 2 April 2025.
How do travellers apply for an ETA?
Travellers can apply for an ETA online via the UK government’s website or through the official UK ETA app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The process involves uploading a photo and answering a few questions. Approval typically takes up to three days, though it may be quicker.
Will airlines and ferry companies check for an ETA?
Yes, airlines and ferry operators are responsible for checking that passengers have a valid ETA before they board a flight or ferry to the UK. Failure to do so could result in fines of up to £2,000. UK Border Force will also check the ETA upon arrival and may ask additional questions.
What about transit passengers?
Transit passengers, even those only passing through UK airports like Heathrow without entering the country, will also require an ETA. This is unlike most other global hubs, where transit passengers don’t need additional permits if they aren’t passing through passport control.
Does an ETA guarantee entry into the UK?
No, having an ETA does not guarantee entry into the UK. UK Border Force officers will review the ETA upon arrival and may ask supplementary questions before deciding whether to admit the traveller.
Why is the UK implementing this scheme?
The UK government states that the ETA is designed to enhance border security and prevent the misuse of the immigration system. The aim is to ensure that those travelling to or through the UK have received proper authorisation in advance.
Will British travellers be affected by the ETA scheme?
No, British travellers will not need an ETA. However, there are concerns within the travel industry that the scheme could negatively impact UK airlines and tourism, especially with the added complexity for international transit passengers.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) | A new online permit required for non-visa overseas visitors to enter or transit through the UK. It costs £10 and is valid for multiple entries over two years. |
| eVisa | A visa for travellers who do not qualify for visa-free status. The eVisa must be applied for through the UK immigration system. |
| Visa-free Status | A status allowing certain nationals to enter the UK without needing a visa, provided they obtain an ETA. |
| Airside | The part of an airport beyond passport and security control, where passengers wait before boarding or between international flights. |
| Common Travel Agreement | An agreement allowing free movement between the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands, exempting Irish nationals from needing an ETA. |
| Juxtaposed Controls | Border checks performed by UK Border Force in continental Europe, such as at ferry ports in France or Eurostar terminals, before passengers travel to the UK. |
| Non-visa Visitors | Travellers who are eligible to visit the UK without applying for a visa but must obtain an ETA for permission to enter. |
| Border Force | The UK government agency responsible for managing the UK border, including checking ETAs and passports of arriving passengers. |
| Transit Passengers | Travellers passing through the UK without entering the country, such as changing planes at Heathrow; they will still require an ETA. |
| ETA Application Process | The steps required to apply for an ETA, which include submitting a photograph and answering security questions via an online platform or mobile app. |
| ETA Fee | The cost of applying for an ETA, set at £10. |
| Passport Control | The process where travellers present their passports for inspection by border authorities to verify their identity and legal status for entry into a country. |
| Immigration System | The legal framework through which the UK regulates entry, residence, and employment of foreign nationals. |
| Carrier Penalty | A fine of up to £2,000 imposed on airlines, ferry operators, or other transport companies for allowing inadequately documented passengers to travel to the UK. |
| ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) | A US travel permit similar to the UK ETA, required for travellers entering or transiting the US from visa-waiver countries. |
| Passport Expiry | The end of a passport’s validity. An ETA is valid until the passport’s expiry or for two years, whichever comes first. |
Additional Resources
UK Government – Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta
The official UK government page detailing the ETA scheme, including eligibility, the application process, and key dates for rollout.
UK Home Office – Immigration and Border Control
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration
Comprehensive information about UK visas, immigration policies, and border control measures, including the ETA.
Visit Britain – Official Travel Advice
https://www.visitbritain.com/gb/en/practical-information/visa-and-passport-requirements
A guide to UK visa and passport requirements, aimed at helping international visitors navigate travel regulations, including the ETA.
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
