Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme for UK visitors now live

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is for UK visitors who do not need a visa for short stays or who do not already have a UK immigration status prior to travelling. The UK government introduced the ETAs as part of its "transformation and digitisation of the UK border". The Home Office has stated that ETAs "will enable a more efficient customer experience and cement the UK as a world leader in border security."

It is vital that UK businesses with significant overseas business visitors coming to the UK ensure that they have an ETA in place. Failing to have the ETA in place will mean, initially, delays on entry (if the Border Force officer exercises discretion) and, once the scheme is established, refusal of entry to the UK if an ETA is not in place. 

UK businesses should review their business travel needs for at least the next six to eight months to ensure that ETAs, where needed, are in place for affected overseas employees.

The ETA is not a visa and it does not allow an individual to work in the UK. The individual (and business) is still bound by the conditions of the visitor's visa rules and should ensure they comply with these at all times. If an individual needs to work in the UK the appropriate visa should be sought before travel. 

As of 27 November, the ETA application process was opened to eligible non-European national visitors who will visit or transit through the UK from 8 January 2025.

In 2025, the ETA will be extended to eligible Europeans, who will be able to apply from 5 March 2025 and will need an ETA to travel to or transit through the UK from 2 April 2025.

From April 2025, all travellers to the UK, except British and Irish citizens, will need permission to travel in advance through either ETA or an eVisa.  

Visitors who can apply for an ETA 

Visitors who can apply now 

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

Visitors who can apply from 5 March 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 

Businesses should also keep in mind that Europe will introduce a similar system (which will affect British nationals travelling to the EU), the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which is a travel authorisation that will soon become mandatory for travellers entering Schengen Area countries.

The ETIAS will impact travellers from over 60 visa-exempt countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. An individual holding valid Schengen visas will not need this authorisation.

Please do get in contact with our team if you have any questions or concerns.