U.K. Electronic Travel Authorization Goes Live—What Travelers Must Know To Enter The U.K.

Posted by author March 5, 2025 Travel

The U.K. application process for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is open for all non U.K. and Irish nationals.

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The U.K.’s new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is a mandatory digital permit for travelers from many countries, including the U.S. and the EU, who wish to visit the U.K. for short stays of up to 180 days.

From 2 April 2025, it will be live to all countries meaning that most non-UK and non-Irish passport holders will need a U.K. ETA to enter the country, whether for tourism, work, or family visits.

What Is the U.K. ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)?

An ETA is a digital permission for Americans and others to travel to the U.K. for any trip—short stays, work, family holidays, the weekend away—for up to 180 days (6 months).

If you do not have one upon arrival at a U.K. airport, train station, or port, you cannot enter unless you fall into the exempt category.

Who Needs A U.K. ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)?

Most people who are not holders of U.K. or Irish passports will need an ETA to travel to the U.K. from April onwards.

You do not need an ETA if you have a visa to enter the U.K., if you are passing through an airport and won’t clear border control (in transit) or are exempt from immigration control.

British and Irish nationals do not also need an ETA, nor do French schoolchildren traveling on a school trip (but the school must organize a group form) nor if you have permission to live, work or study in the U.K. in another way.

Dual citizens don’t need one either, providing they travel on their U.K. or Irish passports, and travelers from Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man are also exempt.

Under 18s and over 70s need a U.K. ETA, as do those traveling with spouses or other family members holding British or Irish passports.

How Does The U.K. ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) Work?

An ETA costs $13 (£10) per applicant and is linked to your passport. It is valid for two years, so you can travel as much as you need without renewing it except if your passport expires, and then you would need to get a new ETA linked to your new passport. The U.K. government may increase the cost to $21 (£16) shortly.

When Will The U.K. ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) Start?

An ETA will be compulsory for everyone who isn’t exempt from 2 April 2025.

Since 2024, nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have needed an ETA. Since January 2025, most countries outside of the EU/EEA have had to use one. From April, everyone will need one, including Europeans.

Where Do I Apply For A U.K. ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)?

You must apply for an ETA before traveling online or through the app.

The U.K. ETA is not a wildly different idea to the U.S. ESTA process or the soon-to-arrive EU ETIAS plan.

ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, will oblige visitors traveling on passports that don’t require a visa, to apply for authorization before arriving into a participating European country.

Both the U.K. ETA and the ETIAS program will operate much like the ESTA scheme in the U.S., where travelers need to register before entering the country. Under ETIAS, travelers under 18 and over 70 will be exempt from payment and the right to enter will last 3 years, after which time, travelers would reapply.

ETIAS is due to start in mid 2025 but has been pushed back several times and the actual start date has yet to be confirmed.