The UK's New Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Travel Scheme Guide

What is the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

The United Kingdom’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which will be fully effective by 2 April 2025, requires most foreign nationals who wish to visit or transit the UK without a visa to obtain advance travel permission based on their travel date and passport nationality.

The ETA system was launched in November 2023 and is set to become a requirement for travellers from specific countries by April 2, 2025. This digital authorization will be required for travellers from specified countries who currently do not need a visa, allowing the UK government to pre-screen individuals before they reach the border.

The ETA aims to strengthen the UK’s immigration and security framework, supporting the broader goals of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. By implementing this extra layer of security, the government will be able to identify potential risks in advance, ensuring that only eligible and low-risk visitors are granted entry.

The UK’s ETA scheme aligns with similar global digital entry systems, such as the United States’ ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) and Canada’s eTA, underscoring the UK’s commitment to secure and efficient travel protocols. Ultimately, the ETA will facilitate faster, simpler and smoother border processing for eligible travellers while allowing the UK to manage its immigration system more effectively.

Who Needs to Apply for an ETA?

Countries Eligible for the ETA

The requirement to obtain an ETA depends on nationality, travel purpose, and visa status.

The ETA system currently applies to nationals of:

Non-European nationals will require an ETA to travel to the UK starting from 8 January 2025. Applications can be submitted beginning on 27 November 2024. Non-European countries include:

European nationals will need an ETA to travel to the UK starting from 2 April 2025. Applications open on 5 March 2025. Eligible European countries and micro-states include:

Reintroduction of Visa Requirement for Jordanian Nationals

On 10 September 2024, the UK government reinstated a visa requirement for Jordanian nationals following a sharp rise in the misuse of travel authorisations by visitors and transit passengers from Jordan. The decision, outlined in the latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, aims to maintain the integrity of the UK’s immigration system and prevent unauthorized use of visit and transit permissions.

Reasons for the Change: There had been a significant increase in Jordanian nationals attempting to live, work, or claim asylum in the UK without proper authorisation. UK entry refusals for Jordanian nationals rose to 463 in early 2024, up from 10 in 2023, and asylum claims surged to 261 in the last quarter before the change. Additionally, many Jordanian nationals have been transiting the UK en route to Ireland and subsequently seeking asylum there.

Impact on ETA and Transit Visas: Jordan has been removed from the list of nationalities eligible for an ETA. Jordanian nationals now also require a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) for airside transit in the UK to prevent asylum claims from transit passengers.

Types of Travelers and Visas That Require an ETA

The ETA is designed primarily for short-term visitors, including tourists, business travellers, and those transiting through the UK. If you are a citizen of an eligible country and planning to enter the UK for tourism, business, short studies, or transit, you will likely need an ETA.

Travellers with valid visas, such as work or student visas, will not need an ETA for entry as their visa already grants them the right to enter the UK.

Exemptions and Special Cases

Specific individuals are exempted from the ETA requirement:

• UK Citizens: UK nationals do not need an ETA to enter or travel within the UK.
• British Overseas Citizen: If you hold a British Overseas Territories citizen passport, you do not need an ETA.
• Irish Citizens: Irish nationals are exempt from the ETA requirement due to the Common Travel Area agreement, which allows free movement between the UK and Ireland.
• Permanent Residents and Specific Visa Holders: Individuals with UK immigration status, such as indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or other forms of permanent residency, and those holding certain visas are exempt from the ETA requirement.

Benefits of the UK ETA Scheme

For the UK, the ETA allows travellers to be pre-screened before arrival, helping to identify potential security risks in advance. Additionally, the system provides comprehensive data on all non-visa national visitors, enhancing the UK’s border security and immigration management.

For visitors, the ETA permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to 6 months at a time. It is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. It can be used for various purposes, including tourism, business, short-term study, or permitted paid engagements, making travel more flexible and convenient.

What the ETA Allows

The ETA enables eligible visitors to visit the UK without requiring a visa for particular short stays and activities. With an ETA, you are permitted to:

• Visit the UK for up to 6 months for purposes such as tourism, visiting family and friends, business, or short-term study.
• Enter the UK for up to 3 months under the Creative Worker visa concession.
• Participate in a permitted paid engagement.
• Transit through the UK, even if you do not pass through UK border control.

What the ETA Does Not Allow

The ETA is intended for short visits and specific activities only. Therefore, with an ETA, you cannot:

• Stay in the UK for more than 6 months
• Work for a UK company or be self-employed
• Receive public benefits
• Use frequent or repeated visits to live in the UK long-term
• Marry, register a civil partnership, or give notice of either (for this, you will need a Marriage Visitor visa)

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a UK ETA, travellers must be from a country that does not require a visa for short visits and lacks any UK immigration status. Applicants must provide a valid passport, email address, and a payment method, such as a credit or debit card, during the application process.

ETA Fees

The UK ETA costs £10 per person.

Once issued, it remains valid for two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

ETA Processing Time

The processing time is typically 3 working days. However, in some instances, it may take longer.

How to Apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation

There are two ways to apply for the ETA.

The fastest way to apply is through the UK ETA app, available for download from the iPhone App Store or Google Play. If you cannot use the app, you can apply for an ETA online via the UK government website. The steps are the same, but you will need to upload the information manually, and you will not be able to scan your passport chip.

• Take a Photo of Your Passport
  • Use your phone’s camera to capture the photo page of your passport. Ensure the entire page is visible in the frame, including the two lines of numbers and letters at the bottom.
  • If your passport has a biometric chip, you can scan it with your phone for added security.
  • Children under 9 do not need to provide a photo.
• Scan Your Face
  • Hold your phone’s camera before your face until scanning is complete.
• Upload a Photo of Your Passport
  • Upload a clear photo of your passport following the app’s instructions.
• Answer Required Questions
  • Answer the questions in the app.
    • The questions will require you to provide details about your address, job, criminal history, and other nationalities.
  • If you’re under 18, include contact details for a parent or guardian.
• Pay in the App
  • Complete the payment for your application.
• Receive Confirmation and Reference Number
  • You’ll receive a confirmation email and an ETA reference number to confirm your application has been submitted.
• Wait for the Decision
  • The UK Home Office will review your application and email you the decision.
  • Your ETA will be electronically linked to your passport, so there’s no physical document to carry.

Applying for Someone Else

It is possible to apply for an ETA for someone else; however, this must be done online, and they must be with you at the time of application.

Who will check the ETA?

For most travellers, airlines and ferry companies are responsible for verifying ETA status before passengers board a flight or ship to the UK. Companies that fail to check may face penalties, currently set at £2,000 per inadequately documented arrival. Additionally, ETA status will be checked at passport control upon arrival in the UK.

The current charge for each inadequately documented arrival is £2,000.

Impact on Transit Passengers

The UK ETA requirement extends to transit passengers, even if they are not going through passport control or formally entering the UK. Travellers merely passing through the UK en route to another destination must secure an ETA before arrival. This applies to both airside transit (where passengers stay within the international departure area) and landside transit (where passengers pass through border control to reach a connecting flight).

The requirement for an ETA is based solely on the traveller’s nationality, not on the journey’s starting point. This measure is intended to enhance border security by ensuring only authorised individuals transit through UK airports and other entry points.

ETA Refusals

If an individual’s ETA application is refused, they must apply for a visa if they still wish to seek entry to the UK.

The UK government will refuse an ETA if it determines the applicant’s presence is not in the public interest due to issues with conduct, character, associations, or other factors. Specific grounds for refusal include:

• Criminal History: If the applicant has been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or abroad and received a custodial sentence of 12 months or more, or if less than 12 months have passed since the date of a conviction.
• Previous Immigration Violations: If the applicant has overstayed a visa, breached visa conditions, used deception in a visa application, had a prior visa application denied without subsequent approval, or had a previously approved ETA cancelled.

If the ETA is refused, such as due to a criminal conviction, the applicant may apply for a visitor visa. For many, obtaining a visa may allow entry to the UK, making an ETA unnecessary. However, some may still face challenges, as visitor visas are also subject to refusal based on criminal history, including convictions with custodial sentences of less than 12 months or non-custodial sentences recorded within the last 12 months.

Get Support With Electronic Travel Authorisation

The UK’s new Electronic Visa Waiver Scheme aims to enhance border security and streamline travel to the UK. Announced by the UK government, this digital authorisation is mandatory for many visitors, ensuring pre-arrival verification for those without a UK visa or other UK immigration status. While British and Irish citizens are exempt, others will need this ETA linked to their passport before arrival as part of the UK’s modern immigration system.

If your ETA application is refused, QC Immigration, as an expert in the UK immigration system, can assist you in exploring suitable visa options and provide the guidance needed to navigate the correct visa route.