Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

What is an ETA?

ETA is an electronic travel authorisation which is applied before you travel to the UK. The purpose of an ETA is to give you permission to enter the UK.

ETA itself is not a visa. If you travel to the UK using an ETA, you will still need to seek a visitor visa on-arrival to the UK.

ETA will replace the single-use Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW). ETA is multi-use, allowing multiple trips during its two-year validity.

Who needs an ETA?

Not everyone will need to apply for an ETA.

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 the visa national list, you will need an ETA in due course.

Nationals from countries on the visa national list will continue to apply for 'Standard Visitor Visa'. This will need to be done in advance of travelling to the UK, you will not need to apply for an ETA.

Who doesn't need an ETA?

If you already have a current valid visa (for example Student Route visa, PBS Dependant visa, long term multi-entry Standard Visitor visa), you may not require ETA. If you hold a long-term multi-entry Standard Visitor visa, you can continue to use this to enter the UK until that visa expires. Each entry is usually granted for 6 months unless informed otherwise by UK Border Force.

Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list

When should I apply for my ETA?

ETA will be introduced in phases. You can find full details of each phase on the UKVI website.

If you already have a current valid visa (for example Student Route visa, PBS Dependant visa, long term multi-entry Standard Visitor visa), you may not require ETA. If you hold a longterm multi-entry Standard Visitor visa, you can continue to use this to enter the UK until that visa expires.

ETA must be applied and granted prior to travelling to the UK; you cannot apply at the border. Airlines may check that you have a valid ETA before allowing you to travel to the UK.

Nationalities who now need an ETA

You need an ETA now if you’re travelling to the UK and you’re a national of:

Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
The Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belize
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British national overseas)
Israel
Japan
Kiribati
Kuwait
Macao Special Administrative Region
Malaysia
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Federated States of Micronesia
Nauru
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Oman
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Qatar
Samoa
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Taiwan (if you have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan)
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uruguay

Travelling to the UK from 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.

Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

How to apply for an ETA?

Applications can be made through the mobile app ‘UK ETA’ or through the online form.

You will need a valid passport as part of your application.

The current fee for an ETA application is £10.00. This will increase to £16.00 from 9 April 2025.

Some applications may be granted within an hour based on confirmed screening. Other applications should usually be resolved within three working days but may take longer if further checks are needed. We advise applying well in advance of intended travel.

You can apply for ETA anytime before your travel, as long as the ETA is valid for the date you intend to enter the UK.

Once ETA is granted, the permission is linked to the passport you used for the ETA application.

If you are refused an ETA, you have not been refused permission to enter the UK and can still make a Standard Visitor Visa application for the UK.

Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

Travelling to the UK

Your ETA is granted via email and is linked to the passport you used to apply.

ETA is granted for two years from the date of grant or until the expiry of your passport used in the ETA application, whichever is sooner. You can make multiple trips to the UK during the validity of your ETA.

If you change your passport after receiving an ETA, you will need to make a new ETA application using the details of the new passport.

Upon entry to the UK, you will be granted a Standard Visitor Visa on-arrival. Please see our webpage on Standard Visitor Visa for details on the purpose and conditions of this visa.

You can remain in the UK up to a maximum of 180 days upon each entry. You will not be allowed to work during your stay.

If you are studying with us (even on a short programme), we are required to hold proof of your permission to be in the UK, known as your Right to Study. Soon after arrival, you should e-mail your proof of entry (either your most recent flight ticket or border entry stamp).

Email your proof of entry