A huge change to the UK’s immigration system is about to take place. From April 2, those arriving at UK ports and airports – expect Brits and Irish – will need permission to travel in advance through either an Electric Travel Authorisation (ETA) or an eVisa. Eligible Europeans will require an ETA or eVisa from April 2 and can apply now. All eligible non-European nationals already require an ETA to travel to or transit through the UK.

An ETA sets you back £10 and allows multiple visits to the UK of up to six months over a two-year period, or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. We must clarify that an ETA is not a visa, it is a digital permission to travel.

Applying for an ETA is quick and simple through the UK ETA app and, with the vast majority of applicants currently receiving a decision automatically in minutes. Prospective visitors can also apply on the government website if they do not have access to a smartphone.

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Passengers walking through an airport with luggagePassengers walking through an airport with luggage

Travellers will need permission to travel in advance through either ETA or an eVisa -Credit:Getty

Applicants provide their biographic and biometric details and answer questions on suitability and criminality. Once an applicant has been approved, their ETA is digitally linked to their passport. Despite most applications are approved quickly, it is still recommended to allow up to three working days to account for the small number of cases that require additional review.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, said: “Securing our borders is a foundation of the UK government’s Plan for Change and by digitising the immigration system we are paving the way for a contactless UK border, ensuring visitors enjoy a seamless travel experience in the future. Expanding ETA worldwide cements our commitment to enhance security through technology and innovation.”

Who needs to apply?

Passengers waiting in line to board a plane at a boarding gatePassengers waiting in line to board a plane at a boarding gate

All travellers to the UK, bar British and Irish citizens, will need permission to travel in advance -Credit:Getty

All travellers to the UK, bar British and Irish citizens, will need permission to travel in advance through either ETA or an eVisa from April 2.

Who can apply now

Nationalities from the following locations (including associated territories) can apply for an ETA 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 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 Arab Emirates

  • United States

  • Uruguay

If you are travelling on or after April 2

Nationalities from the following locations (including associated territories) will need an ETA from this date and can apply now.

  • 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

Who doesn’t need to apply?

As mentioned above, everyone needs an ETA bar British and Irish citizens. But if you have a visa, have permission to live, work or study in the UK, or are just stopping-off at a UK airport.

Similarly, those travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport are exempt, as are those on the France-UK school trip travel information form. You won’t need to apply for an ETA if you’re not passing through border control, however if you’re layover means you need to head through it then an ETA is required.

How and where to apply?

Arrivals sign at an airportArrivals sign at an airport

ETA’s are applied for online -Credit:Getty

Simply download the UK ETA app and follow the instructions. The majority of applicants currently receiving a decision automatically in minutes, but it can take up to three working days. You will need the passport you’re travelling on when applying, as well as access to a bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

How much does it cost and last?

An ETA costs £10 and allows multiple visits to the UK of up to six months over two-years. The system requires one ETA per person, including kids.

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