What is an ETA? (Electronic Travel Authorisation)

Visitors to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short visits, or who do not already have an immigration status in the UK prior to travelling, are now required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK.

The ETA permits multiple journeys and is valid for two years, or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.​​ An ETA-holder can travel to the UK as many times as they like while their ETA and passport are valid.

The ETA provides advance travel authorisation for specific non-visa nationals who are coming to the UK:

• as a visitor (up to 6 months at a time)
• as a creative worker (up to three months)
• for a permitted paid engagement

If you plan to come to the UK for a different reason, for example to work or study, you should apply for a visa that permits you to do that activity in the UK.

The UK has phased the introduction of ETA for certain nationalities, see the list of nationalities that can apply for an ETA here: Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

You do not need an ETA if:

• you have a visa for the UK
• you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including as a refugee, with settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)
• you are transiting through a UK airport and you will not pass through border control – check with your airline if you are not sure
• you are a British or Irish citizen
• you are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport
• you are travelling with a British National (Overseas) passport
• you live in Ireland and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man (see section: Irish Resident Exemption)
• you are a child travelling on the France-UK school trip travel information form
• you are exempt from immigration control

An ETA costs £16 and is valid for up to two years. Each person, including children under 18, are required to obtain their own ETA.

The ETA application can be accessed vis the UK ETA mobile app, or online at GOV.UK.

Applicants must provide their passport details, contact details, a valid digital photo and answer a set of questions.

Applicants should receive an email response within three working days confirming that the ETA has been granted and that it will be linked to that passport used in the application.

The UK has introduced an Irish resident exemption to allow continued free movement on the island of Ireland for certain groups.

Those who are:

• legally resident in Ireland; and
• from a nationality that does not usually require a visa to visit the UK

do not need an ETA when travelling to the UK from inside Ireland, provided they hold acceptable evidence of their Irish residence status.

However, when such residents are travelling to the UK from outside Ireland, they will require an ETA before travel.

Example 1 – Irish resident, non-visa national

Gerry is a US national residing in Cork in the south of Ireland. He wants to travel to Belfast to visit friends for a week, does he need an ETA?

Answer:

• Gerry is legally resident in Ireland and can demonstrate lawful residence in the south of Ireland because he has access to one of the following documents: Permanent Residence Certificate, European Health Insurance Card, Irish driving licence, Irish learner permit, Medical card, GP visit card, National Age card, Irish Residence Permit.
• US citizens do not normally require a visa to visit the UK, according to the UK visa national list.

As Gerry meets the criteria above, and because he is planning to visit for less than 6 months, Gerry does not need an ETA to enter UK via the Northern Ireland border and can travel within the Common Travel Area.

Example 2 – Irish resident, visa national

Imran is a Pakistani national who resides legally in Ireland. He wants to attend a conference in Belfast, does he need an ETA?

Answer:

• Imran is legally residents in Ireland, but
• Pakistani nationals do normally require a visa to visit the UK, according to the UK visa national list.

Because Imran is a Pakistani national, he is required to apply for a visa to enter the UK and is not eligible to apply for an ETA. He should consider applying for a Visitor Visa.

Example 3 – Travel through Belfast

Marie is French national and lives in Dundalk in the south of Ireland. She is on holiday visiting family in France and wants fly home via Belfast as it is more convenient for her than flying into Dublin. Does Marie need an ETA?

Answer:

• Marie is legally resident in Ireland and has relevant documents to demonstrate her lawful residence.
• French citizens do not normally require a visa to come to the UK, according to the UK visa national list

However, Marie cannot travel to the UK directly from France without an ETA. Even though Marie is just planning to fly into Belfast and then go straight home to Dundalk, Marie would need an ETA before flying into Belfast.

Example 4 – Tourist

Laura is a Canadian national and is planning to travel around Ireland in the summer. She wants to spend some time in the south of Ireland, before continuing her trip to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Does Laura need an ETA?

Answer

• Laura is not legally resident in Ireland and does not already have a visa to come to UK.
• Canadian citizens do not normally require a visa to come to the UK, according to the UK visa national list.

Although there is no border control in the island of Ireland, Laura needs to apply for an ETA to come to Northern Ireland, otherwise she will be considered to have entered UK without permission, which is an immigration offence and could lead to detention and removal.

What happens if someone doesn’t apply for their ETA?

1. Either they will be refused boarding by the airline or ferry company, or
2. They will be denied entry at the UK border and forced to return to their country of origin

What should I do if I am refused an ETA?

There is no right to administrative review or appeal against a decision made on an ETA application. If you have been refused an ETA it may be because should have applied for a visa to come to the UK. You should seek immigration advice.