Starting 8 January 2025, travellers from the US, Canada, and Australia will need to apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering the country. The UK Home Office officially launched the ETA system for non-European travellers on 27 November 2024, as part of its broader effort to digitize UK border controls by the end of 2025. We discuss the latest UK ETA updates in this post.
What is a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) allows visitors to travel to the UK and is mandatory for non-visa nationals undertaking short-term visits. While not a visa, the ETA is a digital record confirming pre-approval for entry into the UK. The system aims to enhance border security, simplify travel procedures, and reduce the likelihood of travellers being denied entry.
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) remains valid for two years or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first. It provides digital confirmation of pre-approval to enter the UK.
While most ETA applications are approved within 24 hours, processing may take up to 72 hours in some cases. To avoid any potential travel disruptions, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply well in advance of their planned departure.
Who Needs to Apply for an ETA?
The UK ETA is being implemented in phases to gradually extend the requirement to all non-visa nationals. As per the guidance, the following nationalities may apply for an ETA depending on the date of travel.
Travelling to the UK now
These nationalities can apply for an ETA to travel to the UK now:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
Travelling on or after 8 January 2025
Nationalities from the following locations (including associated territories) can apply for an ETA now:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British national overseas)
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Macao Special Administrative Region
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Samoa
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Taiwan (if you have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan)
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- United States
- Uruguay
Travelling on or after 2 April 2025
From 2 April 2025, European travellers will also be required to apply for an ETA. Nationalities from the following locations (including associated territories) can apply for an ETA from 5 March 2025:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Vatican City
Transit passengers passing through the UK, even if they do not leave the airport, may also require an ETA.
Who does not need an ETA
You do not need an ETA if any of these apply to you:
- you have a UK visa
- you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)
- you are a British or Irish citizen
- you are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport
- you live in Ireland and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
How to Apply for a UK ETA
Applying for an ETA is a simple process that can be completed online or through the UK ETA mobile app. To apply, travelers must:
- Travellers with trips planned to the UK next year can now apply via the UK ETA mobile app or the government website.
- Provide a valid passport, digital photo, and travel details.
- Pay the £10 application fee using a debit or credit card.
- Await approval, which is usually granted within 72 hours.
Travelers must ensure that all the information they provide matches their travel documents to avoid processing delays. Once approved, the ETA is digitally linked to the passport, making it easy to prove immigration status during travel.
What You Can Do with an ETA
An ETA allows non-visa nationals to travel to the UK without a visa if you are:
- Visiting the UK for up to 6 months for purposes such as tourism, visiting family and friends, business activities, or short-term study.
- Coming to the UK for up to 3 months under the Creative Worker visa concession.
- Entering the UK to undertake a permitted paid engagement.
- Transiting through the UK, including cases where you do not pass through UK border control.
If your purpose for visiting the UK falls outside these categories, you should check whether you require a visa instead.
How Whytecroft Ford can help
For professional advice or support with your ETA or UK visa application, contact our expert team on +44 208 757 5751 or use our contact form.
