Roaminglist contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links or any other affiliate links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Learn more in my Disclosure Policy.
Are you traveling to the UK? If so, I hope you’ve heard about the new UK ETA that is slowly being rolled out.
If you’re not yet in the know about this, no worries. I’ve got all the details here for you.
Contents
What is the UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?
The UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is Britain’s new way of screening visitors who don’t need a visa. Think of it as a pre-approved permission slip for your British adventure, similar to the US ESTA or the EU ETIAS. It’s designed to enhance security while letting you enjoy a hassle-free entry—well, mostly hassle-free.
With an ETA, travelers can:
- Stay in the UK for up to six months for tourism, visiting friends and family, business, or study.
- Enjoy up to three months under the Creative Worker visa concession.
- Use the UK as a transit stop for other destinations.
The ETA is valid for two years and allows multiple visits. But if your passport expires within those two years, you’ll need to apply for a new ETA to match your new passport.
How Do You Apply for a UK ETA?
Getting a UK ETA is refreshingly straightforward (for government paperwork, at least).
- Apply via the official UK ETA app or at www.gov.uk.
- Applications can be made on behalf of someone else—great for that family member who’s technologically challenged.
- Most decisions are made within three working days, though additional checks could take longer.
Once approved, you’ll get an email confirmation, and the ETA will link electronically to the passport used for the application. If it’s denied, you’ll need to explore other options like:
- A standard visa.
- A temporary work visa.
- A transit visa.
How Much Does It Cost?
At just £10 (around $13 USD), the UK ETA is one of the more affordable travel authorizations out there. No hidden fees, no surprises—just the cost of an expensive coffee in London (if you’re lucky) LOL.
Who Needs a UK ETA?
The UK is rolling out the ETA requirements gradually, and here’s how it’s scheduled:
- November 2023: Introduced for travelers from certain Middle Eastern countries, replacing the previous Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) program.
- February 22, 2024: Nationals from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE must apply.
- January 8, 2025: Extended to eligible non-European countries, with applications opening November 27, 2024. (AMERICAN’s, pay attention here!)
- April 2, 2025: Travelers from European countries must apply, with applications opening March 5, 2025.
Who Doesn’t Need an ETA?
If you fall into one of these categories, congratulations—you’re exempt from the ETA requirement:
- Holders of a British or Irish passport.
- Residents with permission to live, work, or study in the UK.
- Visa holders.
- Legal residents of Ireland traveling to the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.
Still Not Sure If You Need a UK ETA?
Rules, rules, rules – traveling these days feels like navigating a game of Twister. Are you supposed to spin left, right, or just skip the whole damn thing?
Save yourself the guessing game! Click here to check if you need a UK ETA and get back to planning the fun stuff – like perfecting your royal wave for Buckingham Palace.
How Long Is the ETA Valid?
Your ETA is valid for two years, allowing you to enter the UK as many times as you’d like during that period. However, it’s tied to the passport you used to apply. If your passport expires, you’ll need to apply for a new ETA.
Final Thoughts
Ah, the joys of travel rules – they change faster than you can say “queue up!” In fact, we’ve recently highlighted a few other travel rule “doozies” that you might want to check out if you’re traveling anywhere.
But back to the UK ETA for a moment, just one last FYI – while everything in this post was accurate at the time of writing, the rules may have changed since then (because, of course, they would).
Please, don’t just take our word for it – be the savvy traveler you are and double-check whether you need a UK ETA or any other documents before packing your bags. This post is in no way meant to serve as advice to you for what you specifically need to enter the UK. A little research now (by you) saves a lot of airport headaches later!
And remember, keep calm and roam on!
