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

The UK has a visa waiver scheme which has covered citizens from six Middle Eastern countries since 2023/24 (Quatari nationals, November 2023; nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, February 2024).

From 2 April 2025 the ETA scheme was expanded to cover citizens from many more countries.

Here is what you need to know:

1. Non-EU citizens

From 8 January 2025 citizens from 48 countries worldwide (including Australia, Canada and the US) have required the ETA to travel to the UK. See the full list here.

2. European citizens (including Austria)

From 2 April 2025 citizens from 34 European countries (shaded in blue on the map below) also require an ETA.

3. British and Irish citizens including dual citizens

Citizens and dual citizens of the UK and Ireland do not need ETA to travel to the UK. Similarly, those with permission to live in the UK do not need ETA. This includes those EU/EEA/CH citizens with EU (Pre-)Settled Status.

Note that if YOU are a British citizen but your spouse or children do not have a UK passport then they will need ETA.

Citizens from other countries

If you are a citizen from a country not listed in 1-3 above then you need a visa (and not ETA) to visit the UK.

Cost and other details

• ETA will cost £16 and is valid for unlimited visits to the UK for 2 years.

• Children and babies also need ETA.

• Most applications will be processed within three days.

• Your ETA is linked to your passport so if you get a new passport you need a new ETA.

• Airlines will send each passenger's identity data to the UK Home Office to obtain permission to travel before allowing a passenger to board. The same system is being rolled out to ferry companies.

What ETA is NOT

• ETA is NOT a visa.

• ETA does NOT allow you to stay in the UK for more than 6 months.

• ETA does NOT allow you to work in the UK.

Further information and to apply

For further information and to apply for ETA visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta#who-does-not-need-aneta. You will need to download the official ETA app to apply. (It is possible to apply online without the app but it’s not recommended.) Search "UK ETA" in your phone's app store or click on a link on the official UK government website.

This is the icon for the official UK app (December 2024, iPhone version):

Don't be scammed

Do not visit the website of a third party to obtain ETA. Only use the official UK government (.gov.uk) link above. Do not pay more than £16 (approximately €20) for ETA. Many websites and apps will try to make the application for ETA seem complicated so that you pay them to do it for you. ETA is NOT a visa and is NOT difficult to obtain.

Sources and further information

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta#who-does-not-need-aneta

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-get-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

With thanks to Nicholas Hodder for crossing a few "t"s and dotting a few "i"s.