UK ETA Required for Non-European Travellers
All eligible non-European travellers to the United Kingdom are required to obtain an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter the country as of January 8, 2025.
Under the ETA system, all visa-free nationals intending to visit the UK for tourism, business or short studies for up to six months (and so do not need to pre-apply for a visa) need to obtain digital permission to travel to or transit through the country.
Applications cost £10 and can be made via either the GOV.uk website or the ETA mobile app. Applicants are required to provide basic personal details, passport information and a photo.
An ETA is valid for two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever is sooner, and permits multiple trips to the UK.
Whilst ETA applications are generally processed within a few days, affected travellers will need to account for this additional procedural step and cost when making plans for travel to or transit through the UK. Applicants should be aware that there is no appeal mechanism where an application is refused; refusal will require either a new ETA application or a separate visa application.
ETA requirements do not apply to Irish nationals nor to non-Irish nationals lawfully residing in Ireland who are travelling to the UK from elsewhere in the Common Travel Area. Foreign nationals who have, or require, a visa (or equivalent permission) for entry into the UK are not subject to ETA requirements.
Per our alert of November 26, 2024, Colombian nationals are reminded that they are no longer included on the ETA list and instead will require a visa to travel to the UK.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact us.