Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): Complete 2025 Guide to New UK Entry Requirements

As the United Kingdom moves toward a digital-first future, sweeping changes are coming to its immigration system. At the forefront of this transformation is the introduction of Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs), a new digital screening tool designed to enhance and streamline the entry process for international visitors.

The system promises to deliver a more efficient, secure, and modernised approach to border control, aligning the UK with similar digital authorisation systems used by other nations.

UK Entry Requirements and Key Dates:

• Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) are being introduced worldwide. For visitors to the UK who do not currently need a Visa for short stays, or who do not already have a UK immigration status – an ETA is digital permission to travel.
• Eligible non-Europeans can apply in advance from 27th November 2024 and will need an ETA to travel from 8^th January 2025.
• Eligible Europeans can apply from March 5th and will need an ETA to travel on April 2nd, 2025.
• Gulf Cooperation Council visitors already need an ETA to travel to the UK.
• Visitors can apply in advance and find out when to do so on GOV.UK.
• An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays up to 6 months at a time over 2 years, or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.
• Visitors do not need an ETA to transit through the UK if you will not pass through border control (‘airside’ transit).

Eligibility for an ETA

• 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 for 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 and ETA.

Applying for an ETA

The easiest way to apply for an ETA is through the ‘UK ETA app’, which can be downloaded from Google play or the Apple App store. People can apply on GOV.UK if they do not have access to a smartphone.

Frequently asked questions:

How do people know if they need to obtain a visa instead of an ETA?

If a person intends to visit the UK for longer than 6 months, they need to obtain a relevant visa. They may also need a visa for stays less than 6 months for purposes other than a visit, transit and some business visits.

People can check if they need a visa by using the visa checking tool on GOV.UK.

What happens if someone is not able to obtain an ETA?

• If an applicant’s ETA application is rejected, they will be told the reason and can apply again.
• If an applicant’s ETA application is refused, they cannot appeal and instead for a visa if they still wish to seek permission to come to the UK.

There are two other new travel regulations coming into effect in 2025, the ETIAS and EES – European Union but as yet the dates for launch are unconfirmed. For more information check the relevant websites or check back on our Insights in the coming weeks.