The UK’s New Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): What You Need to Know

Written By Faydelys Robinson

Big changes are coming to the UK border and immigration system as the UK Government announces a significant advancement in its mission to digitise border management. By April 2025, all visitors who do not require a visa—excluding British and Irish citizens—will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK. Here’s a rundown of what this means for travellers and how it will impact your plans.

What is an ETA?

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital pre-clearance required for entry into the UK, roughly equivalent to the ESTA system in the US. The aim is to streamline and enhance the security of the UK’s border system by enabling pre-screening of visitors before they even arrive. Notably, this is very likely to impact travellers with criminal histories who may have been travelling into the UK visa-free undetected. This move is intended to help ensure that only those who meet the entry requirements can enter the UK. This means that nationals of countries who do not require visas for the UK will now need to apply for an ETA before travelling to or transiting through the UK.

There are some key suitability requirements: an ETA will be refused where the applicant has previously been refused a visit visa (unless a subsequent visit visa application has since been approved). In addition, an ETA application may be refused where the applicant has had an ETA cancelled.

Phased Rollout

Nationals from Gulf Cooperation Council countries are already familiar with the ETA process. Starting later this year, the system will be extended to all remaining nationalities in two phases:

Phase 1: Non-European Nationals (including North America, Asia, Oceania, South America and Africa)

  • Applications Open: 27 November 2024

  • Mandatory Requirement Starts: 8 January 2025

Phase 2: European Nationals

  • Applications Open: 5 March 2025

  • Mandatory Requirement Starts: 2 April 2025

Key Details

  • Cost: £10 per ETA

  • Content: the application will involve submitting personal and passport details, planned travel dates, and questions regarding criminal records, security, and intentions

  • Timing: it should take around 10 minutes to complete the form, and the ETA should be granted within three working days (though it may be quicker than this)

  • Validity: allows multiple entries into the UK for up to six months at a time, over a two-year period or until your passport expires—whichever comes first

  • Purpose: the ETA covers various types of visits, including:

    • Tourism;

    • Visiting family and friends;

    • Business or short-term study;

    • Creative Worker visa concession;

    • Permitted paid engagements; and

    • Transiting through the UK.

How to Apply

Applying for an ETA should be straightforward, and the UK Government is introducing a UK ETA app for quick application submission. For further details and to check when you need to apply, visit www.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation.

The ETA is set to become a key part of UK travel planning, and it will be essential to factor in the approval timing to all UK travel arrangements. As always, if you need any further assistance, please contact us at contact@eversageimmigration.com – our team of experienced UK immigration lawyers are happy to help!

Faydelys Robinson
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