If you’ve been planning a trip to the UK in 2025, then you’ve definitely heard of the British government’s new ETA system for entering the country. With all the facts scattered around, it may seem intimidating to take that first step. But don’t worry! I’m here to explain what this new travel authorisation is and what it means for you.
Key takeaways
- The ETA is a visa waiver which allows you to enter the UK for up to 6 months at any time across 2 years
- Most European countries will need an ETA from April 2nd
- The process costs between £10-16 and can be done through the free government-made app
Contents
1. What is an ETA for the UK?
2. Who needs an ETA for the UK?
3. How to get the UK Electric Travel Authorisation
- Step 1: Download the App
- Step 2: Enter your details
- Step 3: Confirm your identity, answer the questions and pay the fee
4. What happens if I’m refused the ETA?
5. How can you use your new ETA?
6. Where to go first
What is an ETA for the UK?
An Electric Travel Authorisation (or ETA) is the UK’s newest step towards digitising its borders and controlling who enters the country. It’s a way to regulate and record the entry of citizens who haven’t needed a visa for short stays (up to 6 months) in the past.
But, you may be asking: do I now need a visa for the UK?
Thankfully, no (so you can rest easily, knowing that your future doesn’t include the long lines and intimidating conversations at an embassy!) The ETA is a visa waiver for eligible nationalities, confirming that you can travel to the UK for up to 6 months over 2 years without any additional visa, and have passed the necessary security clearance.
Who needs an ETA for the UK?
Who needs an ETA for the UK?
Now, to be clear, if you needed a visa before the ETA rules came into effect, you will still need a visa to enter the UK (So, in this case, you can skip the rest of the article and start booking your embassy appointment, you won’t need an ETA).
However, if you previously didn’t need a visa for short stays to the UK, the question of whether you’ll need an ETA will depend on your travel date.
The new regulations are coming into effect in “phases” so if your travel date is before the phase that affects your nationality, you will not need the ETA. Here are the phases announced:
Phase 1: Travellers can apply for the ETA from November 23rd and use it from February 24th
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belize
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British national overseas)
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Macao Special Administrative Region
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Oman
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Qatar
- Samoa
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Taiwan (if you have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan)
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Uruguay
Phase 2: Travellers can apply for the ETA from March 5th and use it from April 2nd
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Vatican City
Need help planning your trip to the UK? Contact our advisors! That’s what they’re here for.
How to get the UK Electric Travel Authorisation
One of the best parts of the ETA is that it’s so easy! The process is entirely online and generally only takes a few minutes to reach a decision (although we recommend that you leave at least a week just in case).
Here’s what you need before you get started:
- Your passport (the one you intend to travel with, not a photocopy or digital passport)
- Your face (you’ll need to take a picture of yourself while making the application)
- A credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay (to make the £10-16 application payment)
Step 1: Download the free app
To streamline the ETA process, the UK government has released an official app available for most phones which you can use to apply. It’s possible to apply without the app, however, the process can take slightly longer (you will also need to choose this option if applying on behalf of someone else)
Download via Apple
Download via Android
Step 2: Enter your details
When you open the app, you’ll need to enter your email address and confirm it by entering the code from your inbox. Afterwards, you’ll need to take a photo of the picture page of your passport and enter your contact details and personal information (the latter can be taken directly from your passport if you have a biometric passport).
Step 3: Confirm your identity, answer the questions and pay the fee
Now that you’ve uploaded your passport, you just need to confirm your identity by taking a picture of yourself via your phone camera. You’ll then need to answer a series of simple yes/no questions confirming that you have not been involved in or have been accused of any terror/extremist/criminal activities (hopefully this is a straightforward question!). Lastly, you’ll need to pay the application fee, which can vary depending on your country of residence but is generally between £10-16. Generally, you’ll receive an answer within the same day you apply, but in some cases, it can take up to a week.
What happens if I’m refused the ETA?
In the grand majority of cases, you’ll receive a swift and positive answer to your request, but if you are denied your ETA, you will need to apply for a visitor visa through the British embassy in your country of residence. If you need help navigating the process, give us a call, our team are always happy to help!
How can you use your new ETA?
If you’re reading this far, I’ll assume you’ve already gotten your ETA or are super close to getting it, in either case, congratulations!
The UK ETA will allow you to travel as many times as you want to the UK across two years for stays under 6 months. If you want to travel longer, you’ll need to apply for a visitor visa.
So, now you have all the information about the ETA, the only thing you need to ask is…
Where should I go first?
With all this information about visas (or waivers of said visas), your trip may be losing a little bit of its magic, but I’m here to bring it back! Check out some of our top British destinations below:
London
London’s got something special in every corner! Oxford Street buzzes with shoppers while Brick Lane fills the air with the smell of curry. You can hop on the red double-decker buses or zip around on the Underground (locals call it “the Tube”).
Want a real London experience? Grab a pint in a traditional pub, catch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, or join the Sunday roast tradition. The city’s got layers of history mixed with modern life – one minute you’re walking past a medieval church, the next you’re in a skyscraper called ‘The Gherkin’!
Brighton
Brighton’s a breath of fresh sea air – a quirky seaside city just an hour from London! The famous pebbly beach comes alive with sunbathers (whenever there’s a hint of sunshine), and the iconic Brighton Pier lights up with rides and arcade games.
The Lanes are a maze of narrow streets packed with indie shops, vintage treasures, and jewellery makers, while the North Laines buzz with colourful street art, veggie cafes, and record stores. if you’re feeling peckish, grab some proper fish and chips (watch out for the seagulls though – they’re notorious thieves!) or try the veggie food scene – Brighton’s actually known as the UK’s veggie capital!
Oxford
Oxford’s like stepping into a real-life Harry Potter scene – all honey-coloured colleges and dreaming spires! The city revolves around its famous university, with 39 colleges dotted around town, each with its own personality and gorgeous gardens. Students zoom around on bikes, wearing their gowns for special dinners and exams.
The city’s got two sides: the historic, scholarly bit with its cobbled lanes and college quads, and then there’s the buzzing east Oxford around Cowley Road, with its street art, international restaurants, and proper local vibe. It’s like a perfect mix of ancient and modern but with extra brainpower!
What do you think?