The vast majority of overseas visitors to the United Kingdom must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in advance.
The Home Office says it is creating “a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year”.
The 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.”
Most leisure and business travellers to the UK do not need a visa. But starting from 2 April 2025, almost all these overseas visitors, are now required to have an ETA. (Non-Europeans already needed the permit, but a large majority of visitors to the UK are from the EU.)
The exceptions are Irish citizens, and people who “have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)”.
Ministers say rolling out the scheme worldwide will “prevent abuse of our immigration system”. But under pressure from London Heathrow airport, they have dropped the bizarre requirement for passengers merely in “airside” transit for a couple of hours to obtain an ETA.
These are the key questions and answers.
What is the ETA?
The United Kingdom, in common with many other countries, is demanding more information in advance from prospective visitors before they board planes, ships or trains to Britain – or drive across the border from Ireland to Northern Ireland.
The government says: “This will ensure we have information on those seeking to come to the UK helping to prevent dangerous individuals, such as criminals, entering the UK.”
The starting point of the journey to the UK is not relevant; what counts is the traveller’s nationality.
At present a relatively small number of arrivals do not qualify for “visa-free” status. They must go through the complex and expensive business of applying for an eVisa.
Until the Electronic Travel Authorisation was launched, everyone else just turned up. But now almost every foreign visitor must obtain the ETA, with the exception of Irish citizens.
As with the US Esta scheme, and similar systems used by Canada and Australia, applications must be made online in one of two…
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