Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETA)

Entry into the United Kingdom

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

The UK has rolled out an ETA requirement for travel on and onwards from January 8th, 2025 for Eligible non-Europeans. This will enhance border security by pre-screening visa-exempt travelers before they arrive in the country. This will also aid in faster immigration checks at the airport. 

This Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) must be completed in advance, prior to travel to England, Scotland, Wales, & Northern Ireland. 

An ETA allows you to travel to the UK to visit for up to 6 months.

Your ETA last for 2 years. You can travel to the UK as many times as you want during the 2 years (for durations less than 6 months). If you get a new passport, you will need to get a new ETA. 

If you are transiting through the UK, you are still required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation.

The easiest way to apply is on the UK ETA app. It should only take 10 minutes.

It costs £10 to apply. Everyone travelling (each individual) needs to get an ETA, including babies and children. You cannot get a refund after you apply. 

After you apply, you will get an e-mail confirming you have got an ETA. It will be linked to the passport you applied with. You will usually get a decision within 3 working days, but you may get a quicker decision. Occasionally, it may take longer than 3 working days.

We recommend completing your application one month prior to travel.

To apply, you will need:

  • the passport you will travel with – not a photocopy or digital passport
  • access to your emails
  • a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay

You will need to upload or take photos of the:

  • passport
  • face of the person applying

You do not need to enter your travel details.

Mobile App Information - Apply Now
Desktop Computer - Apply Now

Who does not need an ETA

You do not need an ETA if any of these apply to you:

Dual citizens

If you are a dual citizen with British or Irish citizenship, you do not need an ETA. Prove your permission to travel using your British passport, Irish passport or other passport containing a certificate of entitlement.

Apply for citizenship if you were born in the UK

You may be eligible to apply to ‘register’ as a British citizen if you were born in the UK. It depends on when you were born and your parents’ circumstances.

This is one way to apply for British citizenship. Check if you’re eligible to apply another way – including through the Windrush scheme.

You were born on or after 1 January 1983

You may be eligible if either:

When you do not need to apply

You’re usually automatically a British citizen if you were both:

  • born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983
  • born when one of your parents was a British citizen or ‘settled’ in the UK

You can apply for a UK passport instead, or ask for a letter confirming your citizenship (your ‘immigration status’).

If you live in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory, there’s a different way to get a letter confirming your citizenship.

You were born before 1983

You’re automatically a British citizen if you were born in the UK before 1 January 1983, unless:

  • your father was a diplomat working for a non-UK country
  • your father was ‘an enemy alien in occupation’ and you were born in the Channel Islands during World War 2

You can apply for a UK passport instead, or ask for a letter confirming your citizenship (your ‘immigration status’).

If you live in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory, there’s a different way to get a letter confirming your citizenship.

 

If you are under the age of 18, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-born-uk/under-18

 

Looking for more information? Please visit: 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

To read the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation Privacy Information, please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-privacy-information-notice/electronic-travel-authorisation-privacy-information-notice