The UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme will apply to the vast majority of overseas arrivals – even those merely changing planes – by 2 April 2025.
The new government says: “Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission to travel in advance of coming here. This can be either through an Electronic Travel Authorisation or an eVisa.”
The ETA costs £10 and is valid for multiple entries to the UK over the course of two years or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever is sooner; the eVisa is used by a minority of travellers who do not qualify for “visa-free” status.
Ministers say rolling out the scheme worldwide will “prevent abuse of our immigration system”.
The ETA will be needed even for those who are “airside” at Heathrow for a short time between international flights.
For British travellers, there should be no direct impact. But travel industry figures say rules attached to the ETA will disadvantage UK airlines and tourism.
These are the key questions and answers.
What is planned?
Most visitors to the UK need not go through the complex and expensive business of applying for a British visa; they simply turn up with their passport and apply for entry.
But that is all changing with the new online permit. The Electronic Travel Authorisation will be mandatory for all “non-visa” overseas visitors to the UK – except for Irish nationals, who are allowed free movement under the Common Travel Agreement.
The starting point of the journey to the UK is not relevant – it is the traveller’s nationality that counts.
The ETA is loosely modelled on the US Esta and is electronically linked to the traveller’s passport. The cost is £10. The permit will be valid for repeated journeys within two years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner.
When is it happening?
The roll-out began with Qatari nationals travelling to or via the UK on 15 November 2023. On 22 February 2024 the programme was extended to nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Non-Europeans will need the permit to travel from 8 January 2025, with the ETA mandatory for European arrivals from 2 April 2025.
How do travellers obtain an ETA?
Online through a UK government website or via the app (search for “UK ETA” on…
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