UK ETA

Who Can Apply for the ETA to the United Kingdom?

Eligibility for an ETA to the United Kingdom depends on a traveler's nationality, so check the rules for your country by using our online tool located on the top of the page.

While some foreign visitors, e.g., GCC citizens, are already required to have valid authorization, the regulation for other countries comes into effect on April 2, 2025.

The exempt categories include:

• UK citizens/ dual nationals/ visa holders
• Holders of British overseas territories citizen passport
• Holders of British National (Overseas) passport
• Those having permission to live, work, or study in the UK
• Those living in Ireland and traveling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man
• Children traveling on the France-UK school trip travel information form
• Those exempt from immigration control

List of Eligible Countries

Citizens of the following countries can apply for a UK ETA:

• Andorra
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Australia
• Austria
• Bahamas
• Bahrain
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Belize
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Chile
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Hong Kong (SAR)
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Kiribati
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Macao (SAR)
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Malta
• Marshall Islands
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Micronesia
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Oman
• Palau
• Panama
• Papua New Guinea
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Samoa
• San Marino
• Saudi Arabia
• Seychelles
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• United Arab Emirates
• United States
• Uruguay
• Vatican City

United Kingdom ETA Requirements

The application procedure for an ETA to the UK involves the stage of submitting the necessary documentation.

The requirements for United Kingdom travel authorization are minimal and include only two documents:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months from the planned entry date
• Applicant's face photograph

The digital copies must be clear – they can be made by using a smartphone camera or a scanner.

What is the UK ETA?

The United Kingdom ETA is an official electronic travel authorization that allows eligible travelers to enter the country without a visa for short stays.

The travel authorization allows visiting the UK for tourism, meeting family and friends, business or short-term study, certain types of work (e.g., Creative Worker visa concession), or transit.

The UK ETA remains effective for 2 years from approval or until the applicant's passport expires. During this period, travelers can make numerous entries for visits not exceeding 6 months each.

To apply for electronic travel authorization, it is necessary to complete the form with the requested information and documents. Also, there is a fee that must be covered online.

Using Passporta services reduces stress, saves time, and increases approval chances, as our agents verify the form for you.

The approved ETA to the United Kingdom is delivered to the applicant's inbox. If the data of the associated passport changes, the authorization becomes invalid.

How to Apply for a United Kingdom ETA

Registering in the United Kingdom ETA system with Passporta is a straightforward and quick process, available 24/7 for travelers with stable internet access.

The guide below will help visitors to get travel authorization without any complications:

1. Provide passport and personal details in the form.
2. Answer security and travel questions.
3. Attach the documents in the form of clear digital copies.
4. Make the payment online using a debit/credit card, PayPal, or other methods.

Once the processing by our specialist and UK authorities is completed, the applicant will get approval via email. Usually, it happens within 19 hours from the date of submission.

United Kingdom ETA Period of Stay and Validity

The ETA for the United Kingdom is issued for multiple entries, allowing stays of up to 6 months (180 days) at a time.

The travel authorization remains valid for 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes sooner.

Since UK ETA is digitally connected to the passport of the traveler, any changes to its data will result in authorization becoming invalid.

Processing Time for the United Kingdom ETA

Reviewing the United Kingdom ETA applications usually takes around 19 hours. While many visitors receive the result sooner, in some cases delays may occur.

If applying via Passporta, the application will also be checked by our visa specialists, taking extra time for additional proofreading.

Sample of the United Kingdom ETA

To know how the approved PDF document will look, see the sample of the ETA to the United Kingdom below:

UK ETA Rejection Reasons

The rejection of the UK ETA may be caused by:

• Passport with insufficient validity period
• Mistakes/errors in the application form
• Security concerns
• Photo that doesn't meet the requirements
• Previous visa violations

The Passporta team double-checks your form and documents before submitting the application, maximizing your chances for approval.

Why Choose Us?

With Passporta, you can be sure that the United Kingdom ETA application process is safe and straightforward.

• Trusted company – Nearly 10 years of experience.
• Application verification – Our experts ensure the forms are completed correctly.
• Information security – Your personal and payment data is properly protected.
• Simple procedure – The application on our website is easy to complete.
• Professional assistance – Our support team is always ready to provide help.

By choosing Passporta, you can easily get your United Kingdom ETA and focus on the trip while we handle the formalities!

FAQs

• Do I need a UK ETA?

  You can easily access this information by selecting your nationality in our eligibility checker available at the top of the website.

• Do I need a UK ETA if I hold British citizenship (dual citizenship)?

  According to the information available on the official government website, individuals with dual British or Irish citizenship do not need an ETA. If you hold a valid British or Irish passport, you may enter the UK. If your passport has expired, please contact the nearest embassy or consulate to renew it.

• Can I work in the United Kingdom with an ETA?

  No, unless you are doing a permitted paid engagement in the United Kingdom or event/work on the Creative Worker visa concession.

• What documents are required for the UK ETA?

  To proceed with a UK ETA, you will be asked to provide a colour copy of the passport page with your photo and personal details – the copy must be clear and well-lit. We also require a recent photo of the applicant (it can be taken with a phone). Make sure all passport details are clearly visible – blurry or overexposed images may be rejected by the immigration office.

• How long does it take to process a UK ETA?

  The general processing time is 19 hours. However, UK ETA applications submitted on our website also undergo checks by our specialists, which may take some additional time.

• How can I check the status of my application?

  To check the status of your application, you need a Passporta account. Please use this link to log in to your existing profile or create a new one.

• How can I check the status of my ETA on the government website?

  You may verify the validity of your ETA using the “Check your ETA” tool on the UK government website. Simply enter your nationality, passport number, passport expiry date, and date of birth. If your application has been successfully finalized, you will see the exact validity date of your UK ETA.

• My application status shows "Finished" – where is my ETA?

  Once your application status shows "Finished", the ETA will be sent to your email address as a PDF attachment. Please check your inbox. Remember to check your SPAM or junk folder as well.

• How will I receive my United Kingdom ETA after approval?

  The result of the ETA to the United Kingdom will be delivered to the applicant's inbox. The document comes as a PDF file.

• I accidentally applied for a visa, but I only need a UK ETA – what should I do?

  If you applied with Passporta and hold citizenship of one of the countries listed above, then you have applied for the correct document. It is not a traditional visa but an electronic authorization required for travel. The UK ETA is issued as a multiple-entry authorisation and remains valid for 2 years from approval or until your passport expires (whichever comes first).

• What should I do if my ETA has been rejected?

  Unfortunately, the Immigration Office has determined that you do not meet the requirements for the UK ETA. In this case, you should contact the nearest British embassy or consulate to apply for a traditional visa.