The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is a new system that mandates non-visa nationals to obtain an ETA prior to travelling to the UK as a Visitor or under the Temporary Worker - Creative Worker concession. The system is designed to screen travellers before they arrive in the UK to evaluate any potential risks.
Nationals from the following countries and territories are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visa-free travel to the UK:
(a) For travel to the UK on or after 15 November 2023: Qatar.
(b) For travel to the UK on or after 22 February 2024: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia.
(c) For travel to the UK on or after 8 January 2025: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British National (Overseas)), Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao Special Administrative Region, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan (only for those with a passport issued by Taiwan that includes the identification card number issued by the competent authority in Taiwan), The Bahamas, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United States, Uruguay.
(d) For travel to the UK on or after 2 April 2025: 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.
If you are a national of a location not listed above, you are not eligible for an ETA and must apply for a UK visa before visiting the UK.
You can apply for an ETA via the ETA app or an online form. You will need to provide your passport details, a valid passport photo, and pay a £10 application fee, along with answering suitability questions.
A refusal of ETA does not prevent you from entering the UK, but you will need to apply for a UK visa instead.
If you would like further information or assistance with the above, please do not hesitate to get in touch with one of our Immigration Advisors at info@migrate-uk.com.