Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for travel to the UK in 2025

Here is an overview of everything you need to know about the introduction of the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)

(as of 10.09.2024, source: UKinbound, UK Government)

From when is an electronic travel authorisation required?

• Eligible non-Europeans can apply in advance from 27 November 2024 and will need an ETA to travel from 8 January 2025.

• Eligible Europeans can apply from 5 March 2025 and will need an ETA to travel from 2 April 2025.

Who needs an electronic travel authorisation?

• All visitors, including children, who do not need a visa for short stays or who do not have any other UK immigration status will need an ETA to travel to the UK or transit through the UK.

• An ETA is not a visa, it does not permit entry into the UK – it authorises an individual to travel to the UK.

• British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA.

How much does an electronic travel authorisation cost and how long is it valid for?

• An ETA 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 is sooner.

How do I apply for an electronic travel authorisation?

• Information on who can get an ETA and how to apply before coming to the UK is available on GOV.UK

• 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 apply on GOV.UK if they do not have access to a smartphone.

• The application process is quick and simple. Applicants usually get a decision within three working days but may get a quicker decision if they use the UK ETA app.

To apply for an ETA, applicants need to:

• Pay a fee

• Provide contact and passport details

• Provide a valid photo, complying with our rules for digital photos on GOV.UK

• Answer a set of questions

How do I obtain an electronic travel authorisation?

• Once your application has been approved, you will receive an email and your electronic travel authorisation and this will be linked electronically to the passport you used to apply for the ETA. You must use this passport to enter the UK.

Is the electronic travel authorisation a visa to enter the United Kingdom?

• No, the ETA is not a visa. All other entry requirements into the UK will remain unchanged.