By April 2025 the Government aims to have fully implemented the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), giving nationals who can visit the UK without applying for a visa in advance (‘non visa nationals’) a digital permission to travel to the UK.
An ETA is not a UK visa, it is an additional new requirement for some, the appropriate visa route, ATAS if applicable, and the relevant invitation letter will still be required for all visitors.
The ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK of up to six months at a time over two years or until the individuals passport expires – whichever is sooner.
Who requires an ETA
The ETA will apply to all ‘non-visa nationals’ (those from countries not on the ‘visa national’ list) including babies and children who are visiting the UK and includes those:
Who does not require an ETA
British and Irish citizens;
- Anyone who already holds a UK visa or other valid immigration status for the UK;
- Visa nationals who must continue to apply for and be granted the appropriate visa prior to travelling to the UK;
- Academics of any nationality, visiting for up to 12 months who must apply for and be granted this visa in advance of travel.
Key Dates
The ETA is currently required for nationals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates
- On 27 November 2024 the ETA process opened for 49 countries (non-European nationals), to permit travel to the UK on or after 8 January 2025.
- On 5 March 2025 the remaining 34 countries (mostly European nationals) will be able to apply to permit travel to the UK on or after 2 April 2025.
Full details of the planned roll out of the ETA for each ‘non visa national’ country can be found on the gov.uk website.
