Will I need Electronic Travel Authorisation to enter the UK?

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme was announced in the March 2023 Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules HC 1160. This post explains what ETA is, who needs an ETA, and how to apply.

The scheme is being implemented in phases; the application process first opened in October 2023 for Qatari nationals, and was rolled out further in February 2024 to include nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Ultimately the plan is for the scheme to apply to all non-visa nationals.

What is the ETA scheme?

Visitors and those transiting through the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have an immigration status prior to travelling, will be required to obtain an ETA to enter the UK.

For those familiar with travel to the United States, it is broadly equivalent to their Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) system: a fairly simple and cheap application made before travel in order to notify the government of your details and enable them to conduct security checks on you before you arrive.

A person who needs an ETA and does not have one will be refused boarding by the airline or, if that does not happen for some reason, will be refused entry on arrival.

If you are a national of certain countries (see the section below), you will need an ETA if you intend to do one or more of the following:

• Enter and stay in the UK for up to six months as a tourist, including as a business visitor or if you are studying
• Enter and stay in the UK for up to three months if you are on the Creative Worker visa concession
• Coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement
• Transiting through the UK, even if you do not need to go through UK border control

You can enter the UK as many times as you like with a valid ETA. You do not need to apply for a new ETA each time you travel.

Who is the ETA scheme for?

The plan is for the ETA scheme to apply to all non-visa nationals eventually, but at present the scheme is limited to nationals of particular countries listed in Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation.

The ETA scheme currently applies to nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The scheme was initially expected to be in place for all non-visa nationals by the end of 2024, although this now seems unlikely. Further details about the remainder of the ETA roll out, including when the scheme will apply to EU nationals, are expected soon.

Everyone travelling is required to get an ETA, including babies and children.

Who does not need an ETA?

The guidance confirms that you will not need an ETA if you are a British citizen, a British Overseas Territory Citizen (BOTC) travelling on a BOTC passport, or an Irish citizen (except where permission to come to the UK is required because the person is subject to a deportation order, exclusion order decision, or an international travel ban). You will also not require an ETA if you already have permission to live, work or study in the UK, hold a valid visit visa, or are exempt from immigration control.

For a long time there was a fear that residents of Ireland that do not need a visa to be there would need to apply for an ETA. Thankfully, they do not. This is a really significant development that protects the Common Travel Area and the rights of non-visa nationals, particularly in the border communities in Ireland.

You will also not need an ETA if you are legally resident in and entering the UK from Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

How do I make an application for an ETA?

Applications can be made using the UK ETA app, or online. The link to the application form, and instructions to download the app are available here.

It costs £10 per person to make the application.

Getting a decision

A decision should be made within three working days of submitting your application.

Your ETA will be issued electronically and you will receive an email to confirm that your application has been approved.

Your ETA should be linked to your passport. It is valid for a period of two years or until the expiry of your passport. You must therefore use the same passport to travel to the UK.

What if my ETA application is refused?

If you are refused an ETA, but you still want or need to travel to the UK, you will need to apply for a visa to enter the UK, such as a visitor or transit visa.  

If you applied for an ETA under the Creative Worker visa concession, you will need to make an application for a Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa instead.

Why do we need Electronic Travel Authorisation?

Visitors and transit passengers who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have an immigration status prior to travelling, will be required to obtain an ETA as an additional security measure.

In a factsheet published in February 2024, the Conservative government said that their priority was to keep the UK safe and “strengthen the security of our border”. Part of the initiative is to make sure that everyone wishing to travel to the UK has permission to do so, and the ETA scheme aims to plug any gaps. The Home Office even published a news story about the scheme, framing it as a way to “bolster the border”.

In the EU, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected in mid-2025 and the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has a target opening date of 10 November 2024. It will soon be commonplace to have obtained authorisation to travel to a number of countries worldwide, not just the UK.

This post has been updated by Rachel Whickman. We will publish further updates as the scheme is rolled out.