By April 2025, all visitors who do not need a visa will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK. The scheme is part of the UK government’s plans to strengthen and digitise the UK border and immigration system and is being rolled out in phases.
Once fully implemented, the ETA scheme will broadly apply to all nationalities who do not require a visa for short stays and who do not have any other UK immigration status prior to travelling to the UK. This includes European nationals.
What is an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?
An ETA is an advance permission to travel to or transit through the UK for those who do not currently require a visa, or do not have a UK immigration status.
An ETA is linked to the individual’s passport. The scheme enables the government to perform robust security checks on travellers before they begin their journey to the UK, helping to prevent abuse of the immigration system.
Once granted, an ETA will be valid for multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to 6 months at a time over 2…
