New Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for UK visitors

An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is an incoming new requirement for international visitors to the UK. Many of those who visit the UK today who don’t require a visa will require an ETA, including leisure visitors. British and Irish nationals will not require an ETA. 

The ETA will cost £10 per person, with two-year validity, and will be electronically linked to your passport, providing you digital permission to travel to the UK from your international point of departure.

For more details on the ETA and how to apply, please visit the UK Government website here.

From 15 November 2023, you’ll need an ETA if you’re travelling to the UK and you’re a national of Qatar (applications open from 25 October).  

From 22 February 2024, nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates will need an ETA (applications open from 1 February).

The UK Home Office is still to confirm when the ETA scheme will be expanded to other visitors, such as US and EU nationals, but we’ll keep this page updated with details.

Separately, the European Union (EU) is introducing the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) from 2024, which will cost €7 per applicant. Full details can be found here: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en.