Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
ETA stands for Electronic Travel Authorisation and it is a digital permission to travel to the UK. The ETA is broadly for visitors who do need a visa for short stays to the UK, or who do not already have a UK immigration status prior to travelling.
ETA is not a visa. If you travel to the UK using an ETA you will still need to apply for a visitor visa upon arrival in the UK.
ETA is multi-use and is valid for two years. It will replace the single use Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW). It is applied for before you travel to the UK.
What does the ETA allow you to do?
The ETA gives you permission to travel to the UK for up to six months for the purpose of tourism, visiting family or friends, business or short-term study. ETA is only required for anyone who is allowed to travel to the UK as a visitor without having to apply for a Visitor Visa before travelling. If you hold a passport for a country which is NOT on this list then you will need ETA in due course.
Nationals from countries on this list will continue to apply for Standard Visitor Visa in advance of travelling to the UK and will not need to apply for an ETA.
Who does not need an ETA
If you are a national from another country please check the UKVI Immigration Rules Appendix ETA National List.
You do not need an ETA if any of the following apply:
- You have a UK visa
- You have permission to live, work or study in the UK (this includes Settled or Pre-settled status on the EU Settlement Scheme)
- You are a British or Irish Citizen
- You are travelling with a British Overseas territories Citizen passport
- You have dual citizenship, British or Irish
Who needs an ETA before travelling to the UK?
Whether you need an ETA depends on your nationality and when will you travel to the UK.
You can apply for an ETA if you are from:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
For travel to the UK on or after 8 January 2025
Nationals from non-EU/EEA countries who do not usually need to apply for a visa before travelling to the UK as a visitor will require an ETA if travelling to the UK from the 8 January 2025. Please visit the UKVI Immigration Rules Appendix ETA National List.
*If you hold a passport issued by Taiwan that includes the identification card number issued by the competent authority in Taiwan.
For travel to the UK on or after 2 April 2025
Nationals from countries in the EU and EEA will require ETA if travelling to the UK from the 1 April 2025. Applications for ETA can be made from the 5 March 2025. Please visit the UKVI Immigration Rules Appendix ETA National List.
How to apply for an ETA
You can apply for an ETA online using the online form or through the mobile app UK ETA which you can download from:
The App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/uk-eta/id6444912481
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.gov.HomeOffice.ho3
You will need:
- A valid passport
- Fee for ETA application - £10
- Access to your emails
- Credit/debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
- To upload or take photos of the passport and face of the person travelling
You do not need to enter your travel details.
You can apply for an ETA any time before you travel as long as the ETA is valid for the date you intend to enter the UK. Once it is granted the ETA will be linked to the passport you used for your application.
If you are refused an ETA you have not been refused permission to enter the UK and can still make a Standard Visitor application for the UK.
The ETA is granted via an email.