ETA UK 2025: new travel requirement to visit the UK

Thinking of having tea and scones at a London cafe, going on a tour of Edinburgh castle, or following in Jane Austen’s footsteps in Bath this year? Well, you’re going to need an ETA for that!

It’s a brand new travel requirement for every visitor to the UK, including children and babies. If you are from a visa-exempt country that previously only needed a passport to enter, as of April 2, 2025 you’ll need an ETA. But don’t let that put you off your British holiday! Keep calm and carry on — we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the ETA visa.

What does ETA mean?

ETA stands for Electronic Travel Authorization. It gives you multiple entry permission to the UK. Though it’s sometimes referred to as an ETA travel visa, it’s actually not a visa at all. This is because ETA simply authorizes you to visit the country, but doesn’t guarantee entry. You may still be turned away at the border, if the UK authorities suspect that you pose a safety risk or lack any other requirements.

ETA is only required of citizens from visa-exempt countries. If you need a visa, that visa alone will be enough and you won’t need to apply for an ETA.

If you’re from one of the countries that used to require an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW), you would now apply for the new ETA instead. The good news is that the ETA is valid for multiple entries to the UK whereas the EVW was only single entry.

Once you have it, it’s linked directly to your passport, so there’s no need to carry a separate copy with you — your passport suffices.

When did ETA come into effect?

Okay, so when did ETA start anyway? It’s already started! It’s been mandatory since 2 April 2025. So if you’ve already booked your holiday, make sure you apply. You wouldn’t want to be turned away at the border and miss out on fish and chips!

How much does UK ETA cost?

It’s a tad more expensive than the former single-entry EVW which cost £10. ETA costs £16 or around €19 as of 9 April 2025, but since it allows for multi-entry, it’s actually cheaper in the long run for people who travel to the UK often.

However, the fee may change over time.

Which countries require ETA?

You’re probably asking “Do I need ETA to travel to the UK?” The short answer is, if you’re not a British passport holder or official resident, then yes.

Everyone from a visa-exempt country and who is not a UK citizen or has their legal residence there will need an ETA to travel to the UK.

But does Ireland need an ETA?

Not at all! In fact, Ireland is the main exemption and Irish citizens are free to enter the country as long as you can prove you’re living in Ireland and you’re entering from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.

If you’re still unsure, you can easily check online if you need to apply for an ETA.

If you are from a country that does require a visa, a valid visa is enough to gain entry and you don’t need the ETA on top.

Who does not need an ETA visa?

But wait, before you get too hasty, make sure that you’re not actually one of the few who are exempt.

You don’t need to apply for ETA if you:

• have a visa

• have permission to live, work or study in the UK

• have a connecting flight in the UK but will not pass through border control (if you’re unsure whether your connection will require border control, make sure you check with your airline!)

• are a British or Irish citizen

• have a British overseas territories citizen passport

• have a British National (Overseas) passport

• are living in Ireland and traveling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.

• are a child traveling on the France-UK school trip travel information form

• are exempt from immigration control — for example, diplomats, members of governments, consular officers based in the UK, etc.

• are exempt from obtaining permission to enter — this includes some crew members of a ship, aircraft, or international rail.

Do dual citizens require an ETA visa?

People who are dual citizens of the UK or Ireland and another country do not need an ETA. However, you must be prepared to prove that you are a British or Irish citizen.

The easiest way to do so is of course to travel with a valid UK passport.

But what if you aren’t carrying a UK passport? It could be because your passport is expired, or that you chose to travel with your second passport because of ease of entry to other countries, or you simply want to be in the same queues as your travel companions.

If that’s the case, you can get a Certificate of Entitlement which proves that you have the right to enter the UK. However, this certificate is an expensive option and currently costs £550. It also takes up to 3 weeks after attending an appointment at a visa application center for it to be approved and requires additional shipping. That’s why the UK government strongly suggests that you have your UK passport on hand when entering the country.

When should I apply for ETA?

Generally, it takes 3 working days after you send in your application to get a decision from the UK government — so make sure to take weekends and holidays into account when applying! There can also be other delays, so it’s important that you apply as early as you can.

When should I apply for ETA?

Generally, it takes 3 working days after you send in your application to get a decision from the UK government — so make sure to take weekends and holidays into account when applying! There can also be other delays, so it’s important that you apply as early as you can.

How to apply for electronic travel authorisation

So, now that you’re sure that you need an ETA, you have two options if you wish to apply:

• Through the app, which you can get from Google Play or the Apple Store.

• Through GOV.UK if you don’t have a smartphone.

Note that the UK currently does not allow any third party applications, so do not give your private info to any website claiming that they will speed up the process for you! Since the start of the ETA program, numerous scam websites have popped up.

When you’re sure you have the right app or website, the process is easy and straightforward.

• Pay a fee.

• Provide your contact and passport details.

• Provide a valid photo, making sure it complies with the UK’s official photo requirements.

• Answer a set of questions.

Do I need to use the ETA app to apply for travel authorization?

​No, you don't have to use the UK ETA app to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). While the app offers a convenient way to apply, you can also complete your application online through the official UK government website.

How long is an electronic travel authorization valid for?

The ETA visa is valid for 2 years from the date it’s authorized and you can use it to enter the country multiple times. If your passport expires during the 2 years, you’ll need to apply again as the authorization is linked to the passport you use to make the application.

However, remember that while the ETA itself lasts for 2 years, the maximum you can stay in the UK is 6 months at a time.

What can you do with an ETA while in the UK?

So, what can you do once you have a valid ETA? Well, it’s not just limited to tourism!

The ETA UK travel visa gives you authorization to stay for up to 6 months in the UK for tourism purposes and for visiting friends or family. You can enter and leave the country as many times as you want during that period. Surprisingly, ETA also covers short business trips, paid engagements like speaking at a conference or performing at an event, or short-term study.

You can also use the ETA in conjunction with the Creative Worker visa concession if you’re coming for under 3 months as a performer or film crew member. As long as you have a valid certificate of sponsorship, you can do job training, study, and temporary work without any further visas.

An ETA will also cover you if you’re transiting through a UK airport and need to pass through border control as that counts as entering the country even if you don’t actually leave the airport.

For any other types of visit, you might need to apply for a UK visa as the ETA will not be enough.

What can you not do with an ETA while in the UK?

Of course, the ETA also means that there are some limitations while you’re visiting. So you:

• can’t stay longer than 6 months

• can’t work for a UK company (paid or unpaid) or be self-employed unless you have a Creative Worker visa or paid engagement.

• can’t live in the UK

• can’t get married or register a civil partnership as that requires its own Marriage Visitor visa.

What happens if my ETA is rejected?

If your ETA travel visa application is rejected, you will be told why and you can apply again. This might be, for example, because you made a mistake in your application.

However, if it’s refused completely, you can’t appeal but you can apply for a standard UK entry visa instead. This might happen if you have a criminal record or you’ve previously been refused entry into the UK.

Happy travels on your ETA UK visa!

The ETA is quick and easy to apply for and you’ll have it in under 3 working days so those scones aren’t far away!