Mirroring the EU’s upcoming ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, the UK is rolling out its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme.
An Electronic Travel Authorisation gives you permission to travel to the UK and is electronically linked to your passport.
In a nutshell, if you were previously eligible to travel to the UK without a visa and are not yet legally resident in the UK, you will need an ETA to enter the country.
Starting from October 2023, Qatari visitors will be required to apply for an ETA.
From February 2024, visitors from the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council states and Jordan will also have to apply for an ETA instead of the current Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) Scheme. The ETA system will completely replace the EVW Scheme and apply to short-term visitors worldwide by the end of 2024.
The introduction of ETAs will require visitors from Europe, America, and Australia to apply for authorization before they visit the UK. However, British and Irish nationals will be exempt from the ETA requirement. Individuals arriving in the UK through Ireland will still be subject to UK immigration requirements, including the need for an ETA. It is important to note that those legally resident in Ireland will not require an ETA when travelling to the UK from within the Common Travel Area.
The application process for an ETA will be simple, swift and entirely digital, with most visitors applying through a mobile app and receiving a prompt decision. The cost of an ETA will be comparable to other similar schemes worldwide, and it will be valid for two years, allowing individuals to make multiple visits to the UK.
Who will not need an ETA?
You will not need an ETA if you are a British or an Irish citizen, have permission to study, work or live in the UK, or have a visa to enter the UK.
If you’re legally resident in Ireland and you do not need a visa to visit the UK, you will not need an ETA if you’re entering the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.
In addition to streamlining the travel process, the ETA scheme will enhance border security by conducting robust security checks on all visitors before they arrive in the UK. As part of the application process, applicants must provide biometric data and answer questions to determine their suitability for travel to the UK.
Source: UK government
