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on April 11, 2025
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On 5th March 2025, the UK moved to the latest stage of the digitisation of its borders, with the announcement that Europeans were now able to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK. Indeed, an ETA will be required for such visitors who travel from 2nd April.
Here at Cranbrook Legal, we realise there might be some confusion among our blog readers as to what an ETA is, who needs one, and how it differs from a visa. So, in this article, we will address these questions to help ensure such travellers aren’t caught out.
The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation is a form of advance travel permission that some foreign nationals will require in order to visit or transit through the UK without a visa.
So, if you intend to make a trip to the UK at any point in the imminent future, as someone who does not require a visa for short stays in the country or who does not already have a UK immigration status, you should check whether you will need an ETA.
The UK Government has framed its introduction of the ETA scheme as key to its efforts to “deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year.”
The Home Office has drawn comparison between the ETA requirement and border security measures implemented by other countries, such as the United States and Australia. According to the department, the move will help “prevent the arrival of those who present a threat to the UK.”
With effect from 2nd April 2025, prospective visitors to the UK who are nationals of the following countries will need to obtain an ETA prior to travelling to the UK.
This requirement will apply whether they intend to visit the UK for tourism, business, or study for up to six months, or for other permitted short-term activities.
It is important to understand that an ETA is not the same thing as a visa. The UK Home Office has explained that an ETA is a “digital permission to travel”. It authorises a person to travel to the UK, but it does not permit entry into the country. In any case, the ETA scheme is not aimed at prospective visitors or travellers to the UK who have a valid visa. It is aimed at people from “visa-exempt” parts of the world – including citizens of the aforementioned locations – who don’t have some other form of UK immigration status, such as a visa or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
To be absolutely clear, a prospective visitor to the UK will not need to get an ETA prior to their trip if they:
An ETA is also not required for dual citizens with British or Irish citizenship. Such individuals can prove their permission to travel using a valid British or Irish passport, or another valid passport containing a certificate of entitlement.
If you are among the groups of people who need to obtain an ETA before embarking on a trip to the UK, and you are successful in being approved for it, this will give you the right to:
It is important to emphasise that mere possession of an ETA will not guarantee entry into the UK; you will still need to use an ePassport gate, or to see a Border Force officer.
Once you have been granted an ETA, you will be able to use it for multiple journeys to the UK, for stays of up to six months at a time, over a two-year spell, or until your passport expires – whichever is sooner.
There is a relatively straightforward online process for obtaining an ETA. According to the UK Government, using the UK ETA app is the quickest way to apply. However, for those who cannot use the app, submitting an online application via the GOV.UK website is also possible.
The stages of applying for an ETA include:
According to the Home Office, most applicants only need to wait a few minutes to discover whether they have been approved for an ETA, when applying through the UK ETA app.
However, the department advises prospective travellers to allow three working days for a decision on their application, in case theirs is one of the “small number of cases which need further review.”
When you embark on your journey to the UK after being granted an ETA, you must travel using the same passport you used when you submitted your ETA application.
When it comes to failed applications for an ETA, it is important to distinguish between a rejected application and a refused application:
The advice we are about to give does not apply to Irish citizens, who can continue to freely enter and live in the UK for as long as they like, even after Brexit. This is thanks to the UK and Ireland’s shared membership of the Common Travel Area (CTA), which dates back in various forms to 1922.
Otherwise, if you are a citizen of an EU or EEA state or Switzerland, you will be able to travel to the UK for a holiday or another short trip, without the need to seek a visa. If this is the case, you will – of course – still require an ETA for travel to the UK on or after 2nd April 2025. An EU citizen can typically stay in the UK for up to six months. If you wish to stay in the UK for longer than this as a national of an EU member state, you will need to have a work, study, or family visa for the UK. The exact UK visa requirements vary, depending on the visa type.
Here at Cranbrook Legal, our award-winning specialists in UK immigration law recognise that the UK immigration system can be complex and confusing to navigate at the best of times – even when you might “only” be planning a short trip to Britain. So, to receive tailored advice and guidance as part of our project-managed service, please contact our team in central London today. You are welcome to fill in and submit our online form to arrange a free consultation, or to give us a call on 0208 215 0053.
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