United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Policy of United Kingdom
Area242,495 km2 (93,628 sq mi)
Population67,081,000

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]

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 Qatari citizens, and will open to more nationalities in 2024.

Citizens from areas that require a UK ETA

A UK ETA is required for citizens from:

Citizens from areas that will require a UK ETA at a future date

All the visa-free countries except Ireland.[22] Irish citizens do not require leave to enter the United Kingdom.[23]

Exemptions

Irish resident exemption

The Common Travel Area
  • All Irish citizens
  • 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.[25][26]

(except those subject to a UK deportation order, exclusion order decision, or an international travel ban)

Holder of British passport

All holders of a British passport issued by the United Kingdom, or the Crown Dependencies, are exempt from needing to hold a UK ETA or an Irish visa

Holder of BOTC passport

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)[27]

Those who need a UK ETA

Each person, whether adult, child or baby should have their position considered.[25][28]

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 Green tick, may need UK visa
    • Not legally entitled to live in UK or Republic of Ireland or Crown Dependency - ETA needed Green tick, may need UK visa
  • Entering the Common Travel Area:
    • Entering Republic of Ireland - ETA not needed Red X, may need Irish visa
    • Entering Republic of Ireland in transit to the UK - ETA needed Green tick, or may need Irish and/or a UK visa
    • Entering a Crown Dependency - ETA needed Green tick, or may need a UK visa
    • Entering UK - ETA needed Green tick, or may need a UK visa
    • Transiting through UK without crossing UK border control - ETA needed Green tick, 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.[27]

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.[29] 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.[30]

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.[30]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "UK Conservatives want to introduce travel authorisation scheme for EU". Schengen VISA Info. Schengen Group. 2 December 2019.
  2. ↑ "UK reveals US style visa waiver for EU Citizens". ETIAS Info. 9 December 2019.
  3. ↑ McCulloch, Adam (2 Dec 2019). "Eu Visitors to UK will require three days notice before travelling". Personnel Today.
  4. ↑ "Tories plan electronic visa waiver for EU citizens". ComputerWeekly.com. Retrieved 2020-01-22.
  5. ↑ "UK unveils plans for travel scheme to bolster the border". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  6. ↑ "Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)". GOV.UK. 2023-07-25. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Justin Harper (28 June 2022). "UK to remove visa requirement for GCC nationals in 'landmark announcement'". Arabian Business. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  8. ↑ "Bahrain News Agency".
  9. ↑ "UAE, Saudi nationals exempt from UK visa requirements starting 2023".
  10. ↑ "Bahrain News Agency".
  11. ↑ "UAE, Saudi nationals exempt from UK visa requirements starting 2023".
  12. ↑ "GOV.UK".
  13. ↑ "Jordan News".
  14. ↑ "Bahrain News Agency".
  15. ↑ "UAE, Saudi nationals exempt from UK visa requirements starting 2023".
  16. ↑ "Bahrain News Agency".
  17. ↑ "UAE, Saudi nationals exempt from UK visa requirements starting 2023".
  18. ↑ "Bahrain News Agency".
  19. ↑ "UAE, Saudi nationals exempt from UK visa requirements starting 2023".
  20. ↑ "Bahrain News Agency".
  21. ↑ "UAE, Saudi nationals exempt from UK visa requirements starting 2023".
  22. ↑ "Electronic Travel Authorisation for the United Kingdom - etauk.uk".
  23. ↑ Section 3ZA (1) Immigration Act 1971
  24. ↑ "Visiting the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  25. 1 2 "Electronic Travel Authorisation Version 2.0" (PDF). 16 November 2023.
  26. ↑ https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta , accessed on 2 January 2024
  27. 1 2 "Guidance Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)". 19 November 2023.
  28. ↑ "Visa requirements for entering Ireland". 11 September 2023.
  29. ↑ "Guidance Using the 'UK ETA' app". Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  30. 1 2 "Policy paper Nationality and Borders Bill: Electronic Travel Authorisation factsheet". 13 October 2023.


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