The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme

Each year the UK welcomes millions of visitors from around the world. The government is making improvements to deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure in the form of Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETAs). An ETA is a digital permission. The introduction of ETAs is in line with the approach many other countries have taken to border security.

Electronic Travel Authorisation applies to: 

• visits to the UK of up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study
• visits of up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession 
• visits for a permitted paid engagement 
• transiting through the UK – including if you’re not going through UK border control.

An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever is sooner.

• Nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council countries need an ETA to travel to the UK
• Eligible non-Europeans can apply for an ETA now and will need an ETA to travel to the UK from 8 January 2025
• Eligible Europeans can apply for an ETA from 5 March 2025 and will need an ETA to travel to the UK from 2 April 2025
• A full list of non-visa nationalities eligible for an ETA can be found here

Further information and how to apply for an ETA is available on gov.uk.