Everything you should know about ETA: the new requirement to come to the U.K.

NAME : Bogdan Kamuta
DATE: 13.11.2024

The United Kingdom officially left the European Union on January 31st, 2020. This controversially game-changing move would become historically known as Brexit. And half a decade later, U.K. nationals living in and/or visiting Europe are still grappling with ​​Brexit’s many consequences. The U.K. government, meanwhile, has since decided to introduce a few new post-Brexit travel requirements of its own — and these, in turn, are commonly known as ETA.

So if you’re planning a trip to the U.K. any time soon — be it from the EU or anywhere else in the world — fear not. Because to help you get there, AXA has compiled a simple breakdown of all you need to know about ETA below.

What travel documents do I need to enter the U.K.?

Let’s start with general travel to the U.K. Because ETA or no ETA, you can’t necessarily just waltz into Great Britain unannounced.

Generally speaking, to enter the U.K. you’ll need — at the very least — a valid passport and your itinerary.

However, the specific paperwork required will depend on a number of different factors. For example, the purpose, length, and particular nature of your trip (i.e., work, school, family, medical reasons, etc.), your nationality, and so on. And — especially depending on your nationality — you might also need a visa.

What countries can enter the U.K. without a visa?

Popular nationalities that don’t need a visa for short trips to the U.K. include Australia, Canada, and the U.S. Despite Brexit, you also don’t currently need one if you’re a citizen of any of the Schengen member states and/or, the 27 European Union nations, as well as Argentina, Brazil, and so on. The full list is actually quite extensive and includes over 150 countries.

Fortunately, you can get all the latest info regarding entry requirements for England on the U.K. government’s official website. There, you can also see whether your home country made the visa-free cut, as well as a full list — in red — of countries that do in fact need a visa.

What is the ETA to the U.K.?

Now down to brass tacks. ETA just stands for “Electronic Travel Authorisation.” And we’re not exactly sure whether it’s pronounced as one word or the three separate letters just yet (most likely the former, but only time will tell). What exactly ETA is, however, is pretty straightforward.

According to the U.K.’s official ETA website, it’s simply an electronic travel permit that grants non-U.K. nationals permission to go to the U.K. They also add that “a valid ETA allows travellers from eligible nations to visit Great Britain for a number of different purposes without acquiring a visa.”

Meanwhile, when it comes to world travel — the idea behind the U.K.’s ETA is neither new nor wholly unique.

For example, the U.S. has been implementing their version of something strikingly similar — aka ESTA, aka the Electronic System for Travel Authorization — ever since 2008.

Australia, Canada,* and New Zealand have had similar systems in place for years as well.

And the EU’s version of the “UK ETA” — aka ETIAS, which AXA can tell you all about too — is set to go into effect in 2025, according to the official source (although since its inception nearly a decade ago, the latter has been repeatedly postponed — so we’ll see).

*FUN FACT: Canada’s version of the Electronic Travel Authorization system, meanwhile — introduced a decade ago too — is also commonly known as eTA. Just mind the different spellings (and respective continents) and you should be ok though.

IMPORTANT PRO-TIP: On a more serious note — we here at AXA always strive to bring you all the latest travel requirements and tips near and far. But it’s still best to always double-check with the official sources and proper channels. And — in this case — that would be the U.K.’s official ETA website above.

Is ETA the same as a visa?

No. According to the official website, the UK ETA is “part of a wider permission to travel policy.” All non-U.K. nationals will, therefore, “need to obtain permission to enter the U.K.,” and “such permission may be in the form of a traditional visa or, for non-visa-nationals, an ETA.” In other words, the UK ETA is not a visa. And that means that both Schengen and EU citizens— as well as travelers from Australia, Canada, the U.S., and so on — will need a UK ETA to cross the U.K. border (even while maintaining their visa-free status).

Why is UK ETA needed?

There are two main drivers behind ETA. According to the blog of the U.K. government’s official Home Office, “the government’s number one priority is keeping the UK safe.” Thus, the UK ETA is being introduced — first and foremost — “to strengthen the security of our (i.e., the U.K.’s) border.”

Secondly, ETA is a key factor in the country’s plans to “fully digitalise its borders by 2025.” The blog goes on to explain that “UK ETA holders will simply need to scan the passport they used to apply on arrival at the border,” after which “the entry permit will be verified electronically.”

How does the UK ETA actually work?

The expected process here is fairly straightforward too. ETA holders, in theory, will simply need to scan the passport they used to apply on arrival at the U.K. border. After that, their entry permit will be verified electronically.

Who needs an ETA to enter the U.K.?

As of 2024, nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates could (and should) apply for an ETA to the U.K.

IMPORTANT: The official UK ETA website adds that “you must be a national of one of these countries and travel using a national passport. You cannot use other types of passports or travel documents.”

And as for the rest of the world? In September 2024, the official source also provided two full lists of countries that can apply for ETA in late November 2024/early March 2025 (respectively) — including dozens of Schengen, EU, and other nations worldwide. And theoretically speaking, all EU nationals will be required to apply for a UK ETA by mid-2025. But anything is possible — so make sure to double-check the official sources above for the latest info!

Do U.K. citizens need a UK ETA?

No. British and Irish citizens — or those who already have a valid visa or immigration status to enter the U.K. — do not currently have to apply.

NOTE: But just so we’re clear, U.K. nationals will need to apply for an eTA for Canada from the U.K., as — again — that’s a totally separate thing. And, again, it’s best to double-check with the proper channels above for the latest changes.

What other travelers don’t need a UK ETA?

According to the U.K. government’s official website, you also do not need an ETA — as of late 2024 — if any of these apply to you:

  • "you have a visa; -you have permission to live, work, or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme);
  • you are traveling with a British Overseas territories citizen passport;
  • you live in Ireland and you are traveling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.”

The website adds that you also don’t need an ETA “If you are a dual citizen with British or Irish citizenship.” And then they invite you to also explore your options as a British Commonwealth citizen, and/or to “prove your permission to travel using your British passport, Irish passport, or other passport containing a certificate of entitlement. In other words, it gets a bit complicated — so take your time and click around.

When do the new ETA requirements come into effect?

So far, the U.K.’s new ETA requirements have been rolling out in stages. And when it comes to the estimated time of arrival (get it?) for your particular neck of the woods?
Well, here’s a brief timeline — according to both the official sources and our summary above — of how the UK ETA started, where it is now, and where it’s theoretically headed:

November 15, 2023

Citizens of Qatar must apply for an ETA.

February 2024

Nationals from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates must apply for an ETA

November 27, 2024

Nationalities from the following locations (including associated territories) can apply for an ETA (IMPORTANT NOTE: But they can only travel to the UK with an ETA from January 8, 2025);

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina Australia
  • The Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British national overseas)
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Kiribati
  • Macao Special Administrative Region
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Nauru
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Palau
  • Panama
  • Papua
  • New Guinea
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Samoa
  • Seychelles
  • Singapore
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Korea
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Taiwan (if you have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan)
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tuvalu
  • United States
  • Uruguay

March 5, 2025

Nationalities from the following locations (including associated territories) can apply for an ETA (IMPORTANT NOTE: They can travel to the UK with an ETA from April 2, 2025).

  • Andorra
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • San Marino
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Vatican City

PRO-TIP: Remember to check back with the official sources above for the most up-to-date changes.

How do I get a UK ETA?

And when the UK ETA does finally arrive in your corner of the world, here's what you do to apply. First off, you’re going to need:

  • A valid passport
  • A working email address
  • A credit or debit card (to pay the ETA fee)

Next, you’ll need to fill in and complete the ETA application form. You’ll be asked to answer a few personal, security, and travel questions. All the information provided must be correct and exactly the same as on the documents provided.

Then you’ll be asked to pay (with a credit or debit card). And then — in theory — you’ll receive the approved U.K. ETA by email.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you’re traveling in a group, all its members must hold a valid U.K. visa or visa waiver, children included. Meanwhile., parental guardians may apply on behalf of a child.

PRO-TIP: Once you’re ready, eligible, and have all your travel requirement ducks in a row, you can begin the UK ETA application process via the official website.

How much does a U.K. ETA cost?

The UK ETA is set to cost £10 (i.e., ten British pounds, or roughly $13 / €12*). And that’s universal — as in, regardless of where you’re coming from.

Moreover (and unlike the Schengen visa, for example), the fee equally applies to babies and children as well, and is non-refundable.

*PRO-TIP: Double-check the latest conversion rates just in case too.

How long does it take to get an ETA?

In theory, the whole process shouldn’t take more than 10-15 minutes, according to the official source. And it can be done fully online, and from anywhere in the world — so long as you have a working email address (and all other required documentation).

How long does the ETA last?

Here, you have a few options. Namely, you can use your ETA to stay in the U.K. for:

  • holidays, visiting friends and family, business trips, and/or study trips for up to 6 months;
  • on the Creative Worker visa concession (i.e., temporary work) for up to 3 months;
  • and once you’re approved, your ETA will also be valid for multiple journeys for up to 2 years.

IMPORTANT PRO-TIP: Keep in mind that a UK ETA will also be required to transit through British airports for other destinations.

How can AXA help?

And, finally — keep in mind that AXA always does its best to provide you with the world’s latest travel requirements. However, our number one specialty remains in providing first-class, top-quality, affordable Schengen travel insurance. And that includes not one but two insurance plans for the U.K. — Europe Travel and Multi-Trip.

Moreover, our whole process has been up and running (and fully digitized) for years — no matter where in the world you are.

So get a free AXA Schengen Travel Insurance quote today and learn how — with or without a UK ETA — your stay in the U.K. can be safe and worry-free from start to finish.

Cheerio!

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FAQ

Do I need to print my UK ETA travel authorization?

No. In theory — and according to the official sources — UK ETA holders will just need to scan their passports after applying, and the permit will then be verified electronically.

Can you get an ETA at the airport?

In theory, yes. ETAs can be obtained via a smartphone, tablet, or other device — provided you have internet.
PRO-TIP: But keep in mind that while most applications are set to be approved within minutes, some might take several days to process. So it’s best to plan ahead.

Can I work or study with a UK ETA?

No, the UK ETA only allows entry for tourism, business visits, or short-term stays. If you intend to work or study in the U.K., you will need to apply for the appropriate visa (with the proper channels).