Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

The Government has now 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 £16 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.

An application is made via the gov.uk website Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) - GOV.UK

 Who requires an ETA

The ETA applies 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:

• Visiting for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business, academic or short-term study, under the permitted activities of a Standard Visitor visa;
• Undertaking a permitted paid engagement;
• transiting through the UK – including if they are not going through UK border control;
• Visiting for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession.

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.