Tamara Hinson gets the lowdown on the ETA – the new electronic travel authorisation which will soon be required by anyone from the EU and many more visa-exempt countries planning a visit to the UK.
What is the ETA?
The ETA is an Electronic Travel Authorisation which will soon be required by travellers – including those from the 27 European Union member states – who want to visit the United Kingdom, but don’t need a full visa. The cost of an ETA will be £10 (€12/$13) and it will be rolled out from late 2023 to the end of 2024.
It’s a similar scheme to those such as America's ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) required by UK citizens (and others) who wish to travel to the USA. The Home Office is expected to begin rolling out the scheme, as part of its plan to digitise British borders, in late 2023. The process will be mandatory for all eligible visitors by the end of 2024.
Do I need an ETA?
The ETA isn’t just for members of the EU. Other countries whose citizens will need an ETA include Qatar, the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and more. Those with Qatari passports are the first to come under the scheme and will require an ETA from November 2023, but travellers from the EU’s member states – as well as most of the others – will only require one from 2024 onwards (the exact date is yet to be confirmed). Irish travellers will not need an ETA as part of the Common Travel Area. While the final list of countries whose nationals will be required to apply for an ETA has yet to be confirmed, you can find an expected list here.
The ETA is designed for those visiting the UK for up to six months, whether for leisure, work or study. Travellers from the included countries will need an ETA even if their stay is a very short one – for example, if they’re simply transiting through the UK, whether they pass through border control for a night in London or stay airside in the terminal building.
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How do I apply for an ETA?
All applications are made online. Applicants will need a biometric passport (biometric passports have small gold camera logos on the front), their travel details and a credit or debit card. You’ll be able to apply via a dedicated gov.uk website or an ETA app. Every traveller must have their own ETA, including children and babies, for whom applications can be made by parents and guardians.
After you’ve completed your application, you can expect to hear whether it’s been approved within three days, although applicants will often receive a reply after a few hours. If further checks are required, the process may take a little longer. Remember to note down your application number once you’ve submitted your application and check your spam for any notifications.
How the ETA works
After you apply online for your ETA (we recommend doing so at least two weeks before your travel date), if your application is successful, you will receive an email confirming your ETA has been approved. It will then be electronically connected to your passport, which means no fishing around in cluttered travel wallets for pieces of paper. Your ETA will last for two years and allow stays of up to six months, but your current passport – the one with which the ETA will be linked – must have an expiration date of at least two years.
When entering the UK, you’ll still be processed in the same way – either by using an e-gate or getting your passport checked by a Border Force officer.
READ MORE: The latest UK passport rules you need to know
Why is the UK introducing the ETA?
As mentioned, the UK is introducing the ETA as part of its plan to digitise its borders at UK airports by 2025. The government hopes that the scheme will reduce queues at the border and, in the government’s words, make it easier for "legitimate travellers” to visit the UK for short periods.
It’s hoped that facial recognition technology will soon be used to make these so-called 'contactless corridors' even easier to use. This will require applicants to submit additional biographic and biometric information, such as photographs of their faces, before they fly.
Don't forget:
- The system is only being rolled out at the end of the end of the year, so if you think you’ll need an ETA, keep an eye on developments relating to how (and what) you'll need to apply.
- Your ETA won’t be granted if your passport expires within two years.
- If you’re from an EU member state or the US, Canada and most others, you won’t need an ETA until at least early 2024.
- Your passport must be biometric. Biometric passports have a gold camera logo on the front.
For more information, visit gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about ETIAS
Lead image: EQRoy/Shutterstock