UK Electronic Travel Authorisation

About the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a pre-travel permission requirement for nationals who do not need a visa to visit or transit the United Kingdom. It is not a visa — holders travel visa-free but must obtain authorisation before departure.

The Home Office began rolling out the ETA by nationality group from November 2023. The scheme applies to visitors, transiting passengers, and those who hold a qualifying immigration status in another country. ETA holders may visit the UK for up to six months per visit.

The ETA links digitally to the applicant's passport. Applications are made through the UK ETA app or the gov.uk website. Multiple visits are permitted during the ETA's validity period.

Key facts

• Administered by: UK Home Office
• Not a visa — applies to nationalities that are currently visa-exempt for the UK
• Validity: 2 years or until passport expiry (whichever is sooner), multiple entry
• Maximum stay per visit: up to 6 months (tourism/visiting) — shorter for some transit scenarios
• Rollout by nationality: phased from November 2023 onwards (UK government announcement)
• Applications submitted via the UK ETA app or gov.uk

Recent UK Electronic Travel Authorisation news

News coverage of UK Electronic Travel Authorisation policy changes will appear here as articles are published.

Related visa types

• Schengen Visa — Short-stay visa for the 27-country Schengen Area — up to 90 days in any 180-day period.