Key Takeaway Summary:
Starting April 2, 2025, EU nationals and other visa-exempt visitors to the UK will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling for short stays of up to six months.
- ETA is not a visa, but a digital permission to travel—it does not guarantee entry into the UK.
- British and Irish citizens, and those with EU Settlement Scheme status, do not need an ETA.
- Applicants must pay a fee (£10 until April 9, 2025, increasing to £16 after that), provide passport details, a photo, and answer a set of questions.
- An approved ETA is valid for two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple visits
From April 2, 2025, EU citizens visiting the UK for short stays will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling.
Visitors to the UK, including EU nationals, need an ETA if they do not require a visa for short stays of up to six months or do not already have UK immigration status.
An ETA is a digital permission to travel – it is not a visa or a tax and does not permit entry into the UK – it authorises a person to travel to the UK.
British and Irish citizens, as well as people with status under the EU Settlement Scheme, do not need an ETA.
How do you apply for an ETA?
- The easiest way to apply for an ETA is through the ‘UK ETA app’, which can be downloaded from the Google Play or Apple App Store. People can also apply on the GOV.UK website if they do not have access to a smartphone.
- Applying for an ETA is quick and simple. Most applicants currently receive an automatic decision within minutes when applying through the UK ETA app, meaning spontaneous trips to the UK are still possible.
- Visitors are advised to allow up to three working days for a decision, to account for the small number of applications that may require further review.
- To apply for an ETA, applicants need to:
• Pay a fee
• Provide contact and passport details
• Provide a valid photo that meets the digital photo rules on GOV.UK
• Answer a set of questions
Applicants must travel using the same passport they used to apply for the ETA.
How much does the UK ETA cost?
An ETA currently costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years, or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever comes first. From April 9, 2025, the ETA will cost £16.
If you are a citizen of a country that requires an ETA to enter the UK, ensure that you apply in good time before starting your journey.
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