Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme

The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme is extending shortly. New travel rules coming into force in the UK from early next year mean many international visitors will no longer obtain automatic entry as a visitor at the UK border. From 8 January 2025 for most nationals (and from 2 April 2025 for EU nationals), it will be necessary to secure pre-approval by applying for an ‘Electronic Travel Authorisation’ before travelling to the UK.  It will be similar to the Visa Waiver Programme forms that British Citizens complete to visit the USA (ESTA) and Australia (ETA).

What is an ETA?

An Electronic Travel Authorisation gives an individual permission to travel to the UK. Launched in October 2023, the ETA Scheme is  designed to improve UK border security by requiring certain travellers to be pre screened for any potential risks before they reach the UK border.

So What is changing?

Currently, only nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates can apply for an ETA. However, from next year, the ETA Scheme will be extended so that all nationalities who can currently travel to the UK without a visa for stays of less than 6 months (known as ‘non-visa nationals’) will need to obtain an ETA if they wish to travel to the UK.  An ETA is not a visa. Under the new rules, passport holders from non-visa national countries such as Australia, France, USA and Japan, 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 applying for an ETA.

When will the ETA requirements start?

From 8 January 2025, all ‘non visa’ nationals’ – other than EU nationals, will need an ETA to travel to the UK. They will be able to apply for an ETA from 27 November 2024.

From 2 April 2025, all EU nationals will need an ETA to travel to the UK and will be able to apply from 5 March 2025.

View the full list of nationalities affected by the new ETA process.

What does not need an ETA?

‘Visa nationals’, as set out in the Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor Visa National List  (such as nationals from China, Russia, South Africa, Kazakhstan, and India) must continue to obtain a Visitor Entry Clearance (visa) from overseas before travelling to the UK. Jordan was added to this list on 10 September 2024.

In addition, anyone with UK immigration permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme), a British or Irish passport or a British overseas territories citizen passport will not need an ETA.

What activities are permitted in the UK for ETA travellers?

ETA travellers will be limited to the following activities in the UK:

• Coming to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family or friends, business or short term study
• Coming to the UK for up to three months on the Creative Worker concession
• Coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement

This means if an ETA applicant’s activities fall outside of these permitted activities, they will need to obtain proper long term immigration permission to work or study in the UK.  For those wishing to work in the UK, this could require an application for a Skilled Worker visa. For individuals seeking to study in the UK for longer than 6 months, they will need to apply for a Student Visa.

How do I apply for an ETA?

ETA applications can either be made through the new ‘UK ETA app’ Using the 'UK ETA' app - GOV.UK or on the Gov.UK website for those with no access to a smartphone: Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

There is a fee of £10 per applicant. There is no minimum age limit, so ALL children under 18 must apply for an ETA (and adult family members can apply on their behalf). ETA applications will be decided within 3 working days. Authorisation is then electronically linked to an individual’s passport. An ETA is valid for multiple journeys to the UK and for up to two years or until the expiry of an applicant’s passport.

Can an ETA be refused?

An ETA can be refused on criminality grounds such as where someone has been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or overseas for which they have received a custodial sentence of 12 months. ETA’s can also be refused on suitability grounds which can include previously breaching immigration law (such as overstaying a visa, breaching conditions of a previous visa or using deception in a previous visa application) or having been previously refused a visitor visa (and not subsequently approved).

If an ETA is refused, the individual will need to apply for a visitor visa in advance of travel from the Home Office to be able to come to the UK.