ETA: A Requirement for Travelers to the UK

If you're used to traveling to the UK with only your passport, the next time you visit could look very different.

Like the US's ESTA and the EU's impending ETIAS, the United Kingdom has launched a new authorization requirement for travelers, including those from the US and Canada.

For the majority of travelers, the new authorization went into effect early last year, January 8, 2025.

But what is ETA? And do you need to apply for it before your trip to the UK? We'll tell you what we know.

What is ETA?

ETA, short for electronic travel authorisation, gives travelers permission to visit the UK, which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

It isn't a visa, and it isn't a substitute for a visa; it's simply a new policy that authorizes travelers to enter the country.

With that being said, ETA doesn't guarantee your entry into the UK. Travelers with approved ETAs will still be required to go through border control (or an ePassport gate if eligible) for final approval.

Who needs an ETA for the UK

If you do not hold a British or Irish passport and do not need a visa to travel to the UK, you are required to apply for ETA. If you have a valid UK visa for any reason, you do not need to apply for ETA.

If your passport is from any of the following countries, and you don't have a visa or residency, ETA is now mandatory:

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Oman, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, and Uruguay.

Since April 2, 2025, all passport holders from the following countries are also required to apply for ETA:

All EU Nationals, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, and Vatican City.

Do US citizens need ETA?

Do babies and children need to apply for ETA?

Who doesn't need ETA?

How to apply for ETA

The application process for ETA is entirely online. You can apply on their official website, or by downloading the UK ETA app.

When using either the official website or the app, applicants will need to take a photo of their original passport (not a photocopy or digital passport), as well as their own face, and upload it into the system.

You'll also need to pay a £10.00 fee with either a debit or credit card, Apply Pay, or Google Pay.

According to the UK government, you will not need to add any travel details.

After applying, you'll receive an email letting you know that your ETA has been approved. Conveniently, ETA approval is automatically linked to your passport, so you don't need to print out proof or any confirmations.

When passing through the border, your authorization will be visible to the necessary authorities.

When to apply for ETA

Processing time for approval usually takes 3 business days, but can be shorter or even longer on occasion.

Can I apply for ETA for someone else?

How much does ETA cost?

How long is an ETA valid for?

What ETA allows you to do

An approved ETA allows you to enter the United Kingdom. Once approved, you can enter the United Kingdom as many times as you like during its validity, so long as your stay is less than 6 months and that you're adhering to the entry requirements.

ETA doesn't allow you to travel to other countries in Europe, such as France or Italy, for example. It also doesn't allow you to become a resident or work in the UK.

You can learn more on the official ETA website.