Planning a trip to the United Kingdom in 2025? You’ll need to know about the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (UK ETA 2025). If you’re wondering “what is an ETA UK?” – it’s a new digital pre-travel permission system for international visitors1. The UK ETA electronic travel authorisation is not a visa or tax, but rather a pre-screening check for travelers from visa-exempt countries, similar to the US ESTA system2.
The UK ETA travel permit is electronically linked to your passport and must be obtained before departure. This new system enhances border security by allowing officials to spot potential risks in advance while making entry more efficient for legitimate travelers3. Essentially, the UK ETA functions as a lightweight travel permit allowing multiple visits for up to 6 months each time, with a two-year validity period (or until your passport expires).
Who Needs an ETA for UK Travel in 2025?
UK ETA Non-European Travel Requirement
Any traveler who can currently enter the UK without a visa will soon need an ETA. This includes citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and most non-European countries. In fact, the UK ETA countries list covers most non-visa visitors (the full list is available on GOV.UK)4.
UK ETA for US Citizens is among the first requirements to be implemented, as American travelers will need to obtain this authorization starting January 2025.
UK ETA European Travellers Requirement
Citizens of EU/EEA countries (except Ireland), Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and several European microstates (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City) will also need to apply for the UK ETA, but on a slightly later timeline.
Important Exemptions
There are some notable exemptions to the UK ETA visa requirements:
- British and Irish citizens never need an ETA
- Residents with settled status or any valid UK visa are exempt
- Dual British citizens with another passport need only travel on their British passport (otherwise, carriers may require an ETA on the non-UK passport)
- Transit passengers who stay airside during layovers (not passing through UK border control) do not need an ETA
Remember: Every traveler, including children and babies, requires their own ETA – there are no exceptions based on age
UK ETA Start Date: Timeline and Rollout
The UK introduces ETA for non-Europeans from 8 January 2025, with European travelers joining later. Here’s the official rollout schedule:
- Non-European nationals: All eligible visitors from outside Europe can apply now (from November 27, 2024) and must have an ETA to travel from January 8, 2025. This covers approximately 6 million visa-exempt travelers from countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, and others.
- European nationals: Citizens of EU/EEA countries (except Ireland), Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and several microstates can apply from March 5, 2025, and must have an ETA from April 2, 2025.
For clarity: starting January 8, 2025, the ETA becomes mandatory for visa-exempt travelers from non-European countries, and from April 2, 2025, it applies to eligible European visitors.
How to Apply for ETA UK: Process and Requirements
Application Process
Ready to apply for your UK ETA? The process is straightforward. You can apply online either via the free official “UK ETA” smartphone app or on the GOV.UK website5.
To apply, you will need:
- A valid biometric passport (the one you will travel with)
- An email address
- A credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, etc.)
The app guides you through three simple steps:
- Upload/scan your passport and photo
- Answer some background questions about your travel and personal history
- Pay the application fee
UK ETA Questions
During the application process, you’ll need to answer the UK ETA questions about your:
- Travel plans
- Background information
- Health status
- Criminal history (if any)
- Security-related questions
These questions are similar to those on other travel authorization systems like the US ESTA.
Processing Time
Most applicants receive a quick decision when applying via the app – often within minutes of submission. However, authorities advise allowing up to 3 working days before travel to account for any applications requiring manual review.
Once approved, your UK ETA electronic travel authorisation is digitally linked to your passport. You’ll receive an email confirmation, but no physical label or stamp is issued – border officers will see your ETA electronically when you arrive.
UK ETA Requirements: Key Details for Travelers
Cost and Validity
The UK ETA travel permit fee is £16 (as of April 2025). This price was increased from the originally announced £10, with the new fee effective from April 9, 2025.
Your ETA allows for:
- Multiple entries over its validity period
- Visits of up to six months at a time
- Two years of validity (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first)
Important: There is no refund once you submit an application, so be sure of your plans before you pay.
Individual Applications
Everyone traveling needs their own UK ETA, and there are no group or family applications – each person, including children and infants, must apply separately. If you’re traveling with family, you can use the app or website to apply for someone else if needed, but you should submit separate applications per person.
UK ETA Countries: Who’s Affected and When
The UK ETA requirement covers all nationalities that are currently visa-exempt for UK visits up to 6 months. On GOV.UK, the list of “who can apply for ETA” includes:
- Nearly all EU/Schengen countries (except Ireland)
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Japan
- South Korea
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- Gulf states
- And dozens more
For example, citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (who contributed £8.8 billion in 2023 tourism spending) are all included in the January 2025 rollout. EU citizens from 27 countries (plus Switzerland, Norway, etc.) join the scheme in April 2025.
Potential UK ETA Travel Permit Issues and FAQs
Important Considerations
Entry is not guaranteed: An ETA simply permits you to travel to the UK, but final entry is decided by border officers. On arrival, you must still pass through immigration (by seeing a Border Force officer or using an ePassport gate).
If your ETA is refused: You’ll be given a reason and cannot appeal the decision. A refusal usually means you must instead apply for a standard UK visa if you still wish to travel.
Dual nationals: British (or Irish) dual citizens should travel on their UK (or Irish) passport to avoid needing an ETA. During the transition period, airlines have been asked not to deny boarding to dual nationals missing a UK passport.
Transit passengers: If you have a plane connection in the UK but stay airside (do not go through UK immigration), you do not need an ETA. However, if your itinerary requires passing through UK border control, then the ETA rules apply as for any visitor.
Important Reminders
- Passport validity: The ETA is linked to your specific passport. If your passport expires or you get a new passport, you must apply for a new ETA.
- Airlines will check your ETA status: Before departure, airlines will verify your ETA status. If the system shows no valid ETA, you may not be allowed to board your flight. (This is similar to how US ESTA works: carriers transmit passenger data at least 2 hours before flight and only board those with valid travel authorisation.)6
UK ETA vs. USA ESTA: How They Compare
The UK ETA is very similar in concept to the US ESTA program. Both require online pre-travel authorization for citizens of visa-waiver countries and use an app or website to collect biographic/biometric data and security questions7.
Key comparisons:
- UK ETA costs £16 (roughly $20), whereas US ESTA is $21
- Both systems allow for multiple entries
- Both have a validity period of up to 2 years
- Both are electronically linked to your passport
- Similar screening questions are used for both systems
If you’ve used ESTA for US travel, the UK ETA will feel familiar – essentially a UK version of a visa waiver system.
Summary: Preparing for UK Travel in 2025
Starting in January 2025, most visa-exempt travelers to the UK must obtain an ETA before their trip. The process is straightforward (via the UK ETA app or GOV.UK) with a modest fee and usually quick processing time.
The UK ETA electronic travel authorisation will ultimately cover visitors from nearly every country that could previously travel visa-free (US, Canada, Australia, EU countries, etc.), except British/Irish nationals.
To ensure smooth travel:
- Check the official GOV.UK guidance for the most up-to-date information
- Apply well before your planned travel date
- Make sure all travelers in your group have their own ETAs
- Remember that the ETA is linked to your specific passport
With your approved UK ETA travel permit in hand, you’ll have the pre-clearance needed for visa-free visits – just be prepared for the normal UK border check on arrival.
Sources
- UK opens pre-travel requirement to non-Europeans – GOV.UK ↩︎
- UK Introduces ETA Requirement for U.S. Travelers ↩︎
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet – 9 April 2025 – Home Office in the media ↩︎
- Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) – GOV.UK ↩︎
- Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) – GOV.UK ↩︎
- Key facts air carriers need to know about the UK ETA ↩︎
- What U.S. Travelers to UK Need to Know About UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) ↩︎
