The UK ETA is now a required travel authorization for many visitors entering the United Kingdom. With this new change, travelers from several countries need to apply for an ETA before their trip. In this guide, we’ll explain what the UK ETA is, who needs it, and how to apply, so you’ll be prepared for the change.

What does ETA mean?

ETA stands for Electronic Travel Authorisation. It is a digital system that grants travelers permission to enter a country for short stays, specific activities such as tourism, business, or study, or to transit through the country.

What is UK ETA visa? United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation explained

The UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is a new system that allows certain travelers to visit the United Kingdom for short stays or to transit through the country. It is not the same as a visa but works as an official approval to travel to the UK. The ETA is linked to your passport electronically and shows that you meet the requirements to enter the country.

Credit: Home Office/YouTube

Not everyone needs an ETA to travel to the UK. Whether you need one depends on your nationality and the purpose of your visit.

Who needs ETA for UK?

You don’t need the United Kingdom ETA if:

• You already have a valid UK visa.

• You have permission to live, work, or study in the UK, including settled or pre-settled status or the right of abode.

• You are a British or Irish citizen.

• You are traveling with a British Overseas Territories citizen passport.

• You live in Ireland and are traveling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.

If you have dual citizenship and one of your nationalities is British or Irish, you don’t need an ETA. You can use your British or Irish passport (or another passport with a certificate of entitlement) to prove your permission to travel.

United Kingdom ETA visa benefits

The ETA lets you do several things in the UK, including:

• Stay for up to 6 months for:

  • Tourism (vacations, sightseeing).

  • Visiting family or friends.

  • Business activities like attending meetings or conferences.

• Short-term study programs.

• Stay for up to 3 months if you are on the Creative Worker visa concession (for artists, performers, or other creative professionals).

• Do a permitted paid engagement, such as giving a lecture or performing in an event.

• Transit through the UK if you need to pass through border control (this is called "landside transit"). You do not need an ETA if you’re only transiting through the UK without crossing the border (called "airside transit").

What can’t you do with UK ETA?

There are some restrictions:

• Stay in the UK for more than 6 months.

• Work for a UK company or be self-employed unless it’s for a specific paid engagement or part of the Creative Worker visa concession.

• Access public funds, such as benefits.

• Use frequent visits to live in the UK long-term.

• Get married, register a civil partnership, or give notice for either. For this, you’ll need a Marriage Visitor visa.

If your trip does not match the allowed purposes, you might need to apply for a different UK visa instead.

How to apply for UK ETA

We can help with your UK ETA application. Applying for a UK ETA can be done entirely online.

To apply for a UK ETA, start by gathering your valid passport, an email address, and a payment method like a credit or debit card. Fill out the online form with your personal and passport details. You’ll also need to upload or take a photo of your passport and face. Pay the £10 UK visa fee and carefully review all your information before submitting the form. Once submitted, you’ll receive updates by email, and if approved, the ETA will be electronically linked to your passport

Credit: Home Office/YouTube

Check out the UK ETA requirements. Confused? Here is how to complete your United Kingdom ETA application in detail.

Which countries are eligible for UK ETA?

There are 54 countries eligible for the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation, with 34 more set to be added after 5 March 2025.

Eligible now:

1. Antigua and Barbuda

2. Argentina

3. Australia

4. The Bahamas

5. Bahrain

6. Barbados

7. Belize

8. Botswana

9. Brazil

10. Brunei

11. Canada

12. Chile

13. Costa Rica

14. Grenada

15. Guatemala

16. Guyana

17. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British national overseas)

18. Israel

19. Japan

20. Kiribati

21. Kuwait

22. Macao Special Administrative Region

23. Malaysia

24. Maldives

25. Marshall Islands

26. Mauritius

27. Mexico

28. Federated States of Micronesia

29. Nauru

30. New Zealand

31. Nicaragua

32. Oman

33. Palau

34. Panama

35. Papua New Guinea

36. Paraguay

37. Peru

38. Qatar

39. Samoa

40. Saudi Arabia

41. Seychelles

42. Singapore

43. Solomon Islands

44. South Korea

45. St Kitts and Nevis

46. St Lucia

47. St Vincent and the Grenadines

48. Taiwan (if the passport includes the identification card number)

49. Tonga

50. Trinidad and Tobago

51. Tuvalu

52. United Arab Emirates

53. United States

54. Uruguay

Eligible from 5 March 2025:

1. Andorra

2. Austria

3. Belgium

4. Bulgaria

5. Croatia

6. Cyprus

7. Czechia

8. Denmark

9. Estonia

10. Finland

11. France

12. Germany

13. Greece

14. Hungary

15. Iceland

16. Italy

17. Latvia

18. Liechtenstein

19. Lithuania

20. Luxembourg

21. Malta

22. Monaco

23. Netherlands

24. Norway

25. Poland

26. Portugal

27. Romania

28. San Marino

29. Slovakia

30. Slovenia

31. Spain

32. Sweden

33. Switzerland

34. Vatican City

3 key UK ETA 2025 dates you should know

Commencing 8 January 2025, the UK introduced ETAs (Electronic Travel Authorisations) for all visitors who do not currently need a visa for short stays of under six months. This includes passport holders from countries like Australia, Canada, and the United States. Travelers from Gulf Cooperation Council countries, who already require an ETA to travel to the UK, will continue to follow this process.

Eligible non-European travelers can now apply for an ETA and will need one to enter the UK. As for European citizens, they can start applying for an ETA from 5 March 2025, and they will need it to travel to the UK starting 2 April 2025.

Check all the UK ETA countries & key UK ETA 2025 dates for details.

The UK ETA represents a crucial update in response to global legal changes impacting international travel in 2025. Understanding the requirements and application process will help to avoid any delays at the border. For assistance with your application, contact us today.

FAQs

How long is UK ETA valid for?

Your ETA is valid for 2 years, allowing you to travel to the UK multiple times within that period. If you receive a new passport, you'll need to apply for a new ETA.

UK ETA for EU citizens: Do EU citizens need a visa to visit the UK?

EU citizens will be able to apply for a UK ETA starting from 5 March 2025. This means that, after this date, citizens from EU countries will need to apply for an ETA before traveling to the UK for short stays, such as tourism, business, or transit

UK Electronic Travel Authority or Electronic Travel Authorisation: What is ETA full form?

The full form of ETA is Electronic Travel Authorisation not UK Electronic Travel Authority.

UK ETA meaning explained

UK ETA stands for United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation. It is a digital travel authorization that allows eligible travelers to enter the UK for short stays, such as tourism, business, or transit.