If you’re visiting the UK and you don’t need a visa for a short stay (up to six months), and/or you don’t already have immigration status, you now need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you travel.
Who needs an ETA?
You need an ETA if you are:
- Visiting the UK for tourism, business, transit, or short-term study
- Not a UK or Irish citizen
- Not already holding a UK visa or residence permit
- From a country that does not require a visa to enter the UK
Check if you need an ETA: UK Government ETA checker
How to apply
The easiest way to apply for an ETA is through the ‘UK ETA app’, which can be downloaded from the Google Play or Apple App Store. You can also apply on GOV.UK if you do not have access to a smartphone.
An ETA currently costs GBP 10.00 and allows you to make multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time, over a period of two years, or until your passport expires - whichever is sooner.
Most applications are processed within 3 working days, but you should apply well before booking your trip, to be safe.
How does ETA work in Northern Ireland?
- The UK does not operate routine immigration controls on journeys from within the Common Travel Area, with no immigration controls whatsoever on the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border.
- However, everyone arriving in the UK must comply with the UK’s Immigration Rules, which includes obtaining an ETA, if applicable.
- British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA.
- Non-Irish residents of Ireland from nations that do not need a visa to visit the UK (e.g. European and US nationals), do not need an ETA when travelling to the UK - including Northern Ireland – from within the Common Travel Area which includes Ireland, provided they hold acceptable evidence of their residence status. Full guidance on this can be found at GOV.UK. If they are travelling to the UK from outside the Common Travel Area, they will need an ETA before they travel, once required for their nationality.
The information provided in this article is for general guidance only and may not reflect the most recent changes in UK travel regulations. It is the responsibility of each traveler to verify the current entry requirements with official government sources before departure. Busbud Inc and its affiliates are not responsible for any denied boarding, entry refusal, travel delays, or financial losses resulting from changes in policy or incorrect documentation, including but not limited to ETA requirements. Refunds will not be issued for tickets affected by such circumstances.