The UK government is phasing in a new travel scheme. It will require people travelling to the UK without a visa to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). An ETA is a digital permission to travel.
This scheme is a new requirement for permission to travel to the UK which has been phased in since November 2023. This is not a visa, and entry requirements into the UK will remain unchanged. British and Irish passport holders do not need an ETA.
Visitors will need an ETA to:
If you want to share anything with your visitors, the UK Government has created the video "What is an Electronic Travel Authorisation?". It provides a quick overview of the scheme and who will need one. This should help visitors to prepare for their future travel.
The ETA scheme is currently being implemented in a phased manner on a nationality basis. By April 2025, it will apply to all visitors who do not need a visa to enter the UK, including babies and children, who:
An ETA costs £10 per applicant. It will allow multiple journeys and will be valid for two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.
A full briefing of who it will apply to, how to make an application, cost, and other information is available on the UK Government website.
Find out more about applying for an ETA on gov.ukYou do not need an ETA if any of the following apply to you:
Visiting nationals from European countries who can currently travel visa-free to the UK will need an ETA by 2 April 2025. This includes nationals from:
Nationals from these countries can apply for an ETA in advance from 5 March 2025.
Browse the full list of countries that need an ETA on gov.ukAn ETA is not a visa. It does not permit entry into the UK. It authorises an individual to travel to the UK.
If an individual intends to visit the UK for longer than six months, they will need to obtain a relevant visa. They may also need a visa for stays of less than six months for purposes other than visit, transit and some business visits.