The bigger part of the UK’s overseas visitors must now obtain an electronic travel permit (ETA) in advance.
The interior office says it creates “a more rational digital immigration system that will be faster and more secure for the millions of people crossing the United Kingdom every year.”
The government says, “Anyone who wants to travel to the United Kingdom – except for British and Irish citizens – will need a travel permission before they come here. This can be either through electronic travel permission or Evisa.”
Most free time and business travelers in the UK do not need a visa. But since April 2, 2025, all these overseas visitors, with the exception of Irish citizens, are now obliged to have ETA. (Non -European ones already need the permission, but many visitors to the UK are from the EU.)
Ministers say the deployment of the scheme around the world will “prevent abuse of our immigration system.” But under pressure from London Airport Heathrow, they missed the bizarre requirement for passengers only on a “ethereal” transit for a few hours to get ETA.
These are key questions and answers.
What is ETA?
The United Kingdom, in common with many other countries, requires more information in advance from future visitors before boarding planes, ships or trains to the UK – or driving across the border from Ireland to Northern Ireland.
The starting point of the trip to the United Kingdom is not relevant – it is the nationality of the traveler.
Currently, a relatively small number of arrivals are not eligible for “no visa” status. They must go through the complex and expensive business to apply for Evisa.
Until the electronic travel authorization starts, everyone else just appeared. But now, almost every foreign visitor must receive ETA, with the exception of Irish citizens.
As with the US scheme, ESTA and similar systems used by Canada and Australia, applications must be made online in one of two ways:
Applicants must provide a photo and answer a set of questions about “fit and crime”.
The government says, “This will ensure that we have information about those who want to come to the UK, helping to prevent dangerous persons, such as criminals entering the United Kingdom.”
ETA is related to the passport of the traveler. The price is £ 10, payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Apple Pay or Google Pay. The price will rise on April 9, 2025 to £ 16.
The authorization is valid for repeated stay up to six months at a time within two years or until the passport expires, which is earlier.
How long does ETA take?
The interior office says, “You will usually get a solution within three working days. Most people get a much faster solution. Sometimes it can take more than three working days.”
In practice, as with Australian and Canadian permits, most decisions and permission issued within minutes will be made.
It is useful that you do not need to be issued with a pass when you start a trip to the United Kingdom. The interior office says, “You must apply for ETA before traveling to the United Kingdom. You can travel to the United Kingdom while waiting for a solution.”
This door can be extremely useful for passengers who do not realize that they need ETA when they appear at an airport, seaport or international rail terminal to travel to the United Kingdom. They can make an application on the spot and meet the condition for continuing their trip.
What if the answer is “no”?
It is up to Why The answer is no.
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If a person’s ETA application is rejected Due to the mistake they made, they will be told the reason and they can apply again.
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If a person’s ETA application is refusal As they are considered inappropriate, they cannot appeal.
The interior office says, “You may want to apply for a standard visitors visa if you have a criminal record or have previously been refused in the United Kingdom.”
Who checks the traveler has ETA?
For the bigger, travelers are expected to check the ETA status before passenger status and to go on flight or deliver to the United Kingdom. They are punished if they fail to check.
The government says, “When an inadequate documented arrival (IDA) is brought to the UK, the carrier can be liable for a fine of up to £ 2,000.”
Ferries from France to Dover, Eurostar trains to London, and the Eurotunnel Shuttles to Folkestone have “comparable controls” and the UK border force staff will check the permit while the passenger is in continental Europe.
The main precipice at the United Kingdom border is Northern Ireland. A tourist in the Republic of Ireland, who inadvertently or deliberately deviates from Northern Ireland, is legally obliged to have ETA, but there is no indication of how their status will be checked.
Does ETA guarantee UK entry?
No. The interior office says: “Eta does not guarantee entry into the UK. Still, it must: none:
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See a borderline officer.
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Use the Epassport Gate. “
Everything clearly? UK EGATE (SIMON CALDER)
How are expenses compared to other countries?
In ascending order order:
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Australia issues free challenges.
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Canada ETA costs C $ 7 (£ 4) and is valid for up to five years.
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The very delayed etias scheme in Europe will cost 7 euros (£ 6) to three years.
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New Zealand’s Nzeta is $ 17 (£ 8) for up to two years. But it requires an additional payment of NZ $ 100 (44 pounds) as an international tax for visitors and is NZ $ 6 more if you are applying to the website, not in the app.
Trade sites that pay search engines to appear before the official site have already appeared. These include one called eta-uk.site, which looks based in Florida, and charges up to $ 99.99 (£ 78) at the top of the fee.
Do transit passengers need ETA?
No, if “Airside” remain, ie. They do not cross the United Kingdom border and remain in the transit zone of London Heathrow or Manchester Airport. But anyone who goes through the passport control – for example, a landing in a gate and later flew out of Luton – will need one.
What is different about Irish citizens?
In addition to being well -kept, polite and well -looking, they are allowed free movement to the United Kingdom under the long -standing general travel agreement.