Visitor’s to the UK without a visa will soon need to get an ETA

Last updated on 7 September 2023

The United Kingdom (UK) Home Office has launched a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for people visiting or transiting through the UK effective from November 15, 2023.

According update on the UK Home Office website:

An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will soon be a requirement for people who do not need a visa to come to the UK. It will give you permission to travel to the UK, and it will be electronically linked to your passport.

You’ll need an ETA to:

come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or study

come to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession

transit through the UK – including if you’re not going through UK border control

You can check if you need a visa.

Who will need an ETA

If you’re from Qatar

You’ll need an ETA if you’re travelling to the UK on or after 15 November 2023. You’ll be able to apply from 25 October.

If you’re from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates

You’ll need an ETA if you’re travelling to the UK on or after 22 February 2024. You’ll be able to apply from 1 February 2024.

If you’re from another country

You do not need to apply for an ETA now. More nationalities will be added to the scheme later.

Who will not need an ETA

You will not need an ETA if you have either:

a British or Irish passport

permission to live, work or study in the UK

a visa to enter the UK

If you live in Ireland and you’re not an Irish citizen

You will not need an ETA if all of the following apply:

you’re legally resident in Ireland

you do not need a visa to enter the UK

you’re entering the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man

You can prove you live in Ireland by showing any of these:

Irish driving licence

Irish learner permit

medical card

GP visit card

European Health Insurance Card

Irish Residence Permit

Permanent Residence Certificate

Temporary Residence Certificate

National Age Card

The document must be:

an original

issued by the Irish government

valid at the time you travel

If you’re under 16, you will not be asked to show a document.

How to apply

You’ll need to apply on the UK ETA app, or online on GOV.UK. You can apply on behalf of others.

Each traveller must get their own ETA, including children and babies.

You’ll usually get a decision within 3 working days, but you may get a quicker decision.

It may take longer than 3 working days if we need to make further checks.

How much it costs

An ETA will cost £10 per applicant.

How you’ll get your ETA

You’ll get an email confirmation if your application is approved.

We’ll link your ETA electronically to the passport you applied with. You must use the same passport to travel.

After you get your ETA

Your ETA will last for 2 years. If your passport expires in less than 2 years, you’ll need to get a new ETA.

You can use it to make multiple visits to the UK. You still need to either use an ePassport gate if you’re eligible or see a Border Force officer to enter the UK.

An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK.

If you’re refused an ETA

You need to apply for either a: