Planning a trip to the UK? There’s something you need to know! The UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is now a must-have for visa-free travelers. This digital travel permit is essential for ensuring a smooth and secure entry into the United Kingdom.
Whether you’re visiting for tourism, business, or short-term learning, the ETA is your key to accessing the UK hassle-free. Stay informed and get ready to experience the UK with this new, streamlined travel requirement!
What is an ETA?
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme is a digital travel permit that the UK government introduced on October 25, 2023, for travelers who do not require a visa to travel to the UK.
This initiative aims to improve and digitize its border control system, identify any potential risks, and enhance the travel experience for visitors, making the UK one of the leading countries in border control measures.
Online Application
With ETA, applicants are not required to make in-person visits to visa centers, as the entire application procedure is conducted online. As a result, there is no need for travelers to produce a physical copy[1] of the authorization when traveling to the UK.
The ETA allows its holders to travel to the UK, but it does not guarantee entry, as the ultimate decision goes back to the border officials upon arrival in the UK.
ETA Timeline
The UK is rolling out its ETA scheme in phases. In November 2023, it was introduced for travelers from selected Middle Eastern countries, replacing the Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) scheme. In February 2024, the scheme expanded to include nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Other nationalities, can apply starting from the dates below:
| Nationality | ETA Application Date | ETA Travel Date |
| Caribbean and North American | November 27 2024 | January 8, 2025 |
| European Passport holders | March 5, 2025 | April 2, 2025 |
Who can apply for an ETA?
ETA is designed for travelers[2] who do not need a visa for short-term visits to the UK and do not hold an existing UK immigration status before their travel. Americans, Canadians, Australians, and European citizens are free from the application for a visa to come to the UK. Still, they also must apply for ETA, meaning they can’t stay even for short visits without it.
Citizens of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia are eligible and required to obtain an ETA to enter the UK. Other nationalities, for the time being, are not eligible to apply and are also not required to have an ETA at this stage.
However, other categories do not need to apply for the UK ETA, including:
- Visa Holders
- Applicants who have permission to live, work, or study in the UK
- British or Irish citizens
- Residents of Ireland and are traveling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man
How to Use an ETA?
Travelers can get an ETA instead of a visa if they will[3]:
- Visit the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, family and friends visits, business activities, or short-term study.
- Enter the UK for up to 3 months under the Creative Worker visa concession.
- Travel to the UK for a permitted paid engagement.
- Transit through the UK, even without passing through UK border control.
Limitations of an ETA:
ETA holders cannot:
- Stay in the UK for more than half a year
- Undertake paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed individual, unless participating in a permitted paid engagement, event, or under the Creative Worker visa concession.
- Claim public benefits or access public funds.
- Reside in the UK through repeated or continuous visits.
- Marry, register a civil partnership, or give notice of such; a Marriage Visitor visa is required for these purposes.
Status of Caribbean Nationality Holders
The British Ministry of Interior recently introduced the ETA requirement for travelers from countries that enjoy visa-free entry to the UK. This new requirement will be implemented progressively, starting with Caribbean Citizenship that provide Citizenship by Investment Programs, such as Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis. However, Dominica is excluded from this list, as it no longer qualifies for visa-free entry to the UK.
ETA requirements
Applicants seeking an ETA, are required to provide:
- Original and valid passport (not a photocopy nor a digital version).
- Email account.
- A payment method such as a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
Applicants need to upload or take photos of, without any need to enter travel details:
- The passport.
- The applicant’s face.
It is worth noting that the fastest way to apply for ETA is using the UK ETA app.
Timeframe
ETA applicants typically receive a decision within three working days, though some may receive a decision sooner. However, processing time might take longer if additional checks and verification are deemed necessary by the UK authorities.
UK ETA application steps
All visa-exempt travelers must obtain a UK ETA before traveling to the UK, including children and infants who will each need their authorization.
Applications can be submitted through a mobile application or the official UK government website. The process involves the following steps:
Step 1: Complete the Application Form
The UK ETA form can be obtained by downloading a specific mobile application or through an online portal. You need to fill out the form online with your personal details, and passport information as well as answer some questions about your intended visit and travel history
Step 2: Submit a Recent Photo
A new, clear, and passport-sized color photo, which must be unedited (Size between 50KB To 10MB), with a Dimension Minimum of 600 x 750 Pixel), is needed. The background should be light, and the applicant should maintain a neutral expression with eyes open.
Step 3: Application Fee Payment
Payment of the application fee for the UK ETA must be made online. Applicants should provide their bank card details, including the card number, expiry date, cardholder name, and CVV code, to complete the payment process.
Step 4: Receive the Decision
If the applicant fulfills all the eligibility requirements and there aren’t any grounds for refusal, such as previous immigration violations, a criminal record, or incomplete or incorrect information in the application, the UK Home Office approves the form. The applicant will get an acknowledgment on the mentioned email address. The ETA, when approved, permits several entries to the UK for the duration of its validity.
The ETA lasts for 2 years, meaning that there is no limit to the number of times that applicants can travel to the UK within this time. Applicants who receive a new passport must obtain a new ETA.
ETA Cost
The application fee for the UK ETA is £10 per applicant, regardless of age or nationality.
The payment is done originally by bank cards like Mastercard or Visa. If visa service providers are used, they may charge their own fees. The ETA cost is less than the £30 Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) for GCC citizens, and much less than the standard visitor visa fee of £100 for non-eligible nations.
[1] https://visaindex.com/eta/uk-eta/
[2] https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2024/02/01/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-scheme-factsheet-february-2024/
[3] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta