Important Travel Update
As of April 2, 2025, the United Kingdom has officially implemented its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement for most international visitors. This significant change to UK entry procedures affects tourists, business travelers, and those visiting family from approximately 30 European countries as well as the United States and Canada.
What You Need to Know About the UK ETA
The ETA is specifically designed for non-visa nationals (those who could previously travel to the UK without any pre-authorization) who are not citizens or residents of the UK or Ireland. The system primarily impacts visitors from countries that had visa-free travel arrangements with the UK, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and approximately 30 European countries that aren’t part of the Common Travel Area.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation serves as a digital pre-approval system for international visitors planning short-term stays in the United Kingdom. Similar to pre-existing systems like the American ESTA or Canada’s eTA, this authorization allows eligible travelers to visit for tourism, business meetings, or family visits for stays of up to six months.
Bear in mind that an ETA is a digital permission to travel, not a tax or visa. It does not guarantee entry into the UK – it simply authorises a person to travel to the UK. You will still need to either use an ePassport gate or see a Border Force officer.
Electronic Travel Authorisation Rollout
The UK government has been rolling out this system in phases since 2023, initially requiring travelers from Gulf states such as Qatar and the UAE to obtain an ETA before entry. Now, the requirement has expanded to include visitors from approximately 30 European nations plus North American countries like the United States and Canada.
It’s important to note that this UK requirement is distinct from the European Union’s ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), which is scheduled to be implemented for UK citizens traveling to EU countries in late 2026.
Application Process for a UK ETA
Obtaining a UK ETA is relatively straightforward. Travelers can apply through:
- The official UK government website
- The dedicated UK ETA mobile applications for Apple and Android phones
The application typically takes 10-15 minutes to complete and requires:
- A valid passport (not a digital passport or photocopy)
- A recent digital photograph
- Payment method for the application fee using one of the following: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Apple Pay or Google Pay
Most applications receive approval within three business days or in minutes if applying through the UK ETA app. Nevertheless, travelers are advised to apply well in advance of their intended travel date to avoid any complications.
Costs and Validity
Currently, the ETA application fee is £10 (approximately 12 euros), but travelers should be aware that this cost is scheduled to increase to £16 (about 19 euros) beginning April 9, 2025.
Once approved, the authorization remains valid for:
- Multiple entries to the United Kingdom for stays of up to six months at a time
- A period of up to two years, or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first
People must travel using the same passport that they used when applying for their ETA.
What Can’t You Do With an ETA?
You are not allowed to:
- Stay in the UK for longer than 6 months
- Live in the UK through frequent or successive visits
- Claim public funds (benefits)
- Do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you are doing a permitted paid engagement or event or work on the Creative Worker visa concession
- Marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership – for this you need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa
Who Needs an ETA?
The requirement applies to travelers who:
- Do not need a traditional visa to enter the UK
- Are not British or Irish citizens
- Do not have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- Do not possess a valid UK visa
For a comprehensive list of nationalities affected by this requirement, travelers should consult the official UK government website.
Do You Need an ETA if You’re in Transit?
- Airside transit passengers are temporarily exempt:
- People who stay within the international transit area of UK airports
- Passengers who do not pass through UK border control
- This exemption was implemented after feedback from the aviation industry
- The exemption is temporary and will be reviewed periodically
- Landside transit passengers still need an ETA:
- Visitors who must cross through UK border control during transit
- This applies even if they’re only in the UK briefly
- The requirement depends on the traveler’s nationality (those from countries requiring an ETA)
This distinction is important for travelers planning connections through UK airports. Those with direct airside transfers between international flights can currently proceed without an ETA, while anyone needing to enter the UK proper – even just to change terminals or collect luggage – would need an ETA if their nationality requires one.
Since the exemption is described as temporary, travelers who frequently transit through the UK should monitor for potential changes to this policy in the future.
Who Does Not Need an ETA
British and Irish citizens as well as people with status under the EU Settlement Scheme do not need an ETA. British National (Overseas) passport holders don’t need an ETA or a visa to visit the UK.
- Dual citizens with British or Irish citizenship do not currently need an ETA. In the future, they will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement.
- It’s recommended that all British citizens travel on a valid British passport to avoid delays at the border.
You also don’t need an ETA if you already have a valid visa to visit the UK.
Planning Ahead
With this new requirement now in effect, international travelers planning UK visits should factor in the application process as part of their travel preparations. Obtaining the ETA ahead of time ensures a smoother entry experience, allowing visitors to focus on enjoying everything the United Kingdom has to offer.
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