What is the pre-travel authorisation scheme for visitors to the UK?
The UK is extending the requirement to obtain an ‘Electronic Travel Authorisation’ (ETA) to all nationalities who can travel to the UK without a visa.
An ETA is not a visa. It is a permission to travel to the UK. The process for obtaining an ETA is not as involved as that for obtaining a visa. However, the ETA application process is mandatory and must be completed in advance of travel.
Who is required to apply for and obtain an ETA prior to travelling to the United Kingdom
The ETA requirement will apply to European Economic Area (EEA) nationals traveling to the UK on or after 2 April 2025. Irish nationals will not need an ETA.
All other nationalities who are not already subject to the ETA requirement, will be required to obtain an ETA for travel to the UK on or after 8 January 2025. This includes US, Canadian, Australian, Brazilian, Israeli, Japanese, Mexican, New Zealand and South Korean nationals.
Nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia are already subject to the ETA requirement. Jordanian nationals were added to the UK’s visa national list in September 2024; they must apply for visas to enter the UK and are no longer eligible for ETAs.
The ETA requirement will apply equally to transit visitors and to children.
Anyone holding a valid UK visa will not be required to secure an ETA before traveling to the UK.
Process requirements
An application may be made via the GOV.UK website or the UK ETA app. EU nationals will be able to apply from 5 March 2025. All other nationalities who are not already subject to the ETA requirement will be able to apply from 27 November 2024.
The application requires an email address, a digital photo and payment of £10.
Validity and renewals
An ETA will be valid for 2 years from the date of grant or until the expiry of the holder’s passport used in the ETA application, whichever is sooner.
Guaranteed admission?
An ETA does not guarantee admission to the UK.
An ETA application could be refused or an ETA cancelled for reasons including criminality, bad character or conduct, previous breaches of immigration laws, previous breaches of visa conditions and debt to the UK National Health Service or unpaid litigation costs owed to the Home Office.
A person who is refused an ETA will need to apply for a visa.
Get ready
Understanding details of the new ETA scheme will be key to avoiding travel disruption and disappointment for EEA, US and other non-visa nationals who are used to traveling to the UK without first obtaining any kind of permission.
Published: 16 September 2024
