The United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a Home Office electronic system that is used to pre-check people travelling to the United Kingdom.[1][2][3][4]
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United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
As the United Kingdom forms part of the Common Travel Area (CTA), comprising the UK, the Republic of Ireland and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, the UK ETA rules may impact people travelling to other areas of the CTA.
The system, as part of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, operates using an online application which is checked against a variety of security databases, and if the person has not committed a crime, they will be given travel authorisation. If the person has committed a crime, their application will go for further review to decide whether or not to grant them travel authorisation.
A UK ETA is valid for up to two years and multiple entries and may be used by short-term tourists, family visitors, business people, and students (six months or less), as well as on the Creative Worker visa concession (three months or less) and in transit, rather than applying for a visa. Having an ETA does not guarantee entry into the UK.
History
On 9 March 2023, the UK government officially announced the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) programme beginning with Qatari citizens on 15 November 2023, who may apply for it as early as 25 October, followed by the rest of the GCC and Jordanian citizens on 22 February 2024, and who may apply for it on 1 February, and that more visa-free nationalities will be added until all are included by the end of 2024.
On 6 June 2023, it was announced that the ETA would cost £10 per applicant.[5][6]
The system is now in operation for citizens of the GCC and Jordan, and will open to more nationalities in 2024.
Non Irish citizen but legally resident in the Republic of Ireland, who would not normally need a UK Visa to visit the UK, are exempt from having to apply for a UK ETA if they are travelling to the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.[20][21]
(except those subject to a UK deportation order, exclusion order decision, or an international
travel ban)
British Overseas Territory Citizen (BOTC), travelling on a BOTC passport is exempt from UK ETA and Irish visa
(except those subject to a UK deportation order, exclusion order decision, or an international travel ban)
Other exemptions
A holder of a UK visa
Anyone with permission to live, work or study in the UK (does not need to apply for a UK ETA but will need proof of their exemption)[22]
Those who need a UK ETA
Each person, whether adult, child or baby should have their position considered.[20][23]
A UK ETA is needed by everyone, irrespective of age, unless exempt.
Generally those that need a UK ETA are not exempt and are:
Entering UK from Republic of Ireland or Crown Dependency:
Not being a non-visa country national - ETA needed Y, may need UK visa
Not legally entitled to live in UK or Republic of Ireland or Crown Dependency - ETA needed Y, may need UK visa
Entering the Common Travel Area:
Entering Republic of Ireland - ETA not needed N, may need Irish visa
Entering Republic of Ireland in transit to the UK - ETA needed Y, or may need Irish and/or a UK visa
Entering a Crown Dependency - ETA needed Y, or may need a UK visa
Entering UK - ETA needed Y, or may need a UK visa
Transiting through UK without crossing UK border control - ETA needed Y, or may need a UK visa
Applying for a UK ETA
Applications are made preferably through mobile phones using the UK ETA app, or online.[22]
The “UK ETA” app is downloadable on both the App Store and the Google Play Store, or from the U.K. Government website.
The applicant will need to answer some questions about themselves, not about their travel arrangements, the ETA app needs to take a scan of the face (not for children under 9) and will also scan the data in passports that have an electronic chip.[24] Pay the fee.
People can apply for ETA's on behalf of other people who are with them at the time.
The ETA decision will be sent by email, usually within 3 working days.
Consequences of not having a UK ETA on arrival
Carriers to the UK are expected to check that an individual has the appropriate permission to travel, in document or digital form, before they bring them to the UK. Otherwise, they may be liable to a penalty charge.[25]
Individuals arriving in the UK without a UK ETA, if not exempted, may be refused entry.
It is a criminal offence to obtain a UK ETA by deception.[25]
