Traveling to the UK in the next year? You may be required to obtain a “UK ETA” before you go. This page will help you understand what an ETA is and whether you need to apply for one.
The UK electronic travel authorization (ETA) is a new entry requirement designed to improve border security and keep better track of immigration into the UK. It is also meant to streamline travel for certain nationalities. If you’re planning to travel to the UK, it’s important to know whether or not you need to apply for one.
By learning about the latest travel requirements, you can avoid any delays and have a smooth arrival to the UK.
The United Kingdom (UK) electronic travel authorization (ETA) is a digital travel permission that allows eligible citizens from selected countries to travel to the UK. It is intended for specific travel purposes such as business, tourism, and short-term study courses (less than 6 months). The UK ETA is valid for up to 2 years, or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
The UK ETA was first introduced in October 2023 for Qatari citizens to travel seamlessly to the UK. In February 2024, it was extended to nationals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. However, Jordan was removed from the list of ETA-eligible countries in September of the same year.
In the last year, the list of countries that need an ETA for the UK was expanded. The UK government chose to include all non-visa nationalities including those from non-European countries and European countries. They set up a staged release so that travelers from non-European countries will need an ETA to enter the UK starting in 2025, while the second group of European nationalities would need an ETA to travel on or after April 2025. Details about these dates and nationalities can be found below. As of January 8, 2025, US citizens need an ETA for the UK and ETIAS for the EU.
There are many benefits to the UK ETA that make it more efficient than any other travel permit or visa process. The UK ETA application has a very quick turnaround time and can be completed entirely online. It takes less than an hour and has a maximum processing time of three working days. It is also very cost-effective and allows for multiple entries. The ETA makes the UK safer for everyone traveling there, by increasing border security and improving the vetting process for travelers with a criminal record.
| Travel date | Applications open | Countries |
|---|---|---|
15 November 2023 | 25 October 2023 | Qatar was the first country whose nationals were eligible to obtain an ETA to travel to the UK. |
22 February 2024 | 01 February 2024 | Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Jordan was also on this list. However, it was removed from the ETA-eligible countries list in September 2024; Jordanians need to apply for a visa to travel to the UK. |
8 January 2025 | 27 November 2024 | Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao Special Administrative Region (including British national overseas), Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United States, and Uruguay. |
2 April 2025 | 5 March 2025 | Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Vatican City. |
The following travelers do not need an ETA to travel to the UK but need to apply for a visa instead.
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
There are many types of visas available to live, work, and study in the UK for various purposes.
In order to apply, applicants must meet certain UK ETA eligibility requirements.
The following are the criteria that all nationals of eligible countries should meet to have the best chance of obtaining the UK ETA:
Transit through the UK, if you will pass through UK border control (‘landside’ transit)
Applicants will ideally possess clean immigration and criminal records. In terms of immigration, they should not be in violation of the UK entry laws or those of any other country. There are exceptions for those with minor criminal convictions.
The UK ETA eligibility requirements for those with a criminal record are as follows:
All eligible nationals must provide certain required documents to apply for a UK ETA. These are essential for a successful application.
The following are the general requirements for all applicants:
All applicants must possess a valid passport and be able to provide a digital copy of the biographic page. It’s highly recommended that applicants double-check the validity of their passports before applying. If the expiration is in less than two years, they will not get the full benefits of the UK ETA.
Applicants must upload a digital personal photo during the application process that meets the standard guidelines. Digital photographs must be at least 600 x 750 pixels and between 50 KB and 10 MB. They must be clear, unedited, and include the applicant’s head and shoulders.
Applicants must pay the application fee in order for their application to be processed. This can be done using a valid form of payment, a valid credit or debit card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay. Applicants should ensure they have sufficient funds before starting the application process.
All applicants must provide a valid email address. This should be accessible to them throughout the processing period and checked regularly. All application correspondence, including the final decision, will be sent to this email.
One of the benefits of the UK ETA is the straightforward application process. Applicants can take the following steps to complete their UK ETA application:
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All applicants must upload a copy of their valid passport and a personal photo that meets the standard guidelines. All size and format guidelines for the digital attachments can be found at the application link above.
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Applicants must pay the application fee of £97 before submitting their UK ETA application. Payments can be made using a valid credit or debit card, GooglePay, or Apple Pay. This payment includes the government fee and our comprehensive professional service fees.
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Whether the application is approved or rejected, you will receive an email notification of the ETA decision. The UK ETA will be electronically linked to your passport.
While a visa is a document that allows the holder to stay for longer periods to work, study, or live, an ETA is a digital travel permit. It does not guarantee entry into the UK or allow for stays of more than 6 months.
The UK ETA is a travel permit. It does not guarantee entry into the UK. The final decision of entry will be made by the border police once the holder arrives at border control. If everything is in order, they will be granted entry.
Apply for your UK Electronic Travel Authorization today. Simply fill out the online form to get started.
This website is designed to provide travelers with information and assistance in completing the necessary steps for the online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) application, at additional professional fees. YOYO Travels L.L.C is a travel and tourism agency based in Dubai, UAE, licensed by the Government of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism. We are not affiliated with the United Kingdom government in any way. Applicants still have the option to apply for the UK ETA on their own via the official government portal at gov.uk without paying any additional professional fees.
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