Electronic Travel Authorisation
(ETA)
An Electronic Travel Authorisation is a pre-travel permission required by nationals of certain countries to visit or transit the UK without a visa. It is linked electronically to the applicant's passport and is valid for multiple journeys over two years or until the passport expires. The UK ETA scheme was extended to nationals of European countries from January 2025 and costs £10 per application.
The UK ETA scheme was first rolled out to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals in November 2023 and was extended to European nationals (including EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens) from 8 January 2025. An ETA does not guarantee entry — Border Force retains the right to refuse entry on arrival. Applications are made through the UK ETA app or on GOV.UK and are typically decided within minutes or a few days. The ETA is linked to the specific passport used to apply; travellers must apply for a new ETA if they renew their passport. Certain people are exempt from needing an ETA, including British and Irish citizens, those with a valid UK visa or leave, and those in transit through a UK port without entering the UK. The fee is £10 per application.