Update! The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system – understand the restrictions on your stay before travelling to the UK

The UK’s long-awaited ETA system, modelled on the USA’s ESTA system, has now been live in the UK for certain nationalities listed below and with a number of nationalities to follow in near future. The current list are all non-visa national countries, meaning that their citizens do not need to apply for a visa prior to arriving in the UK for the purpose of visiting.

An ETA is required if you are travelling on a passport from one of the following nationalities:

• Bahrain
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates

You also do not need an ETA if you have: 

• A valid visa
• Permission to live, work, or study in the UK
• A British or Irish passport
• A British overseas territories passport
• If you live in Ireland and are traveling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man

With an ETA, you can:

• Visit the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business, or short-term study.
• Stay in the UK for up to 3 months under the Creative Worker visa concession.
• Participate in permitted paid engagements.
• Transit through the UK, even if you’re not passing through UK border control.

If your purpose doesn’t align with the above, you will need to apply for a different type of visa.

While the ETA is intended for short-term visits, there are some limitations:

• You cannot stay in the UK for more than 6 months.
• You cannot do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless under specific circumstances such as a permitted paid engagement or work on the Creative Worker visa concession.
• You are not eligible to claim public funds (benefits).
• You cannot use an ETA to live in the UK through frequent or successive visits.
• If you intend to marry or register a civil partnership in the UK, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, you will need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa.

The ETA application costs £10 per person. Most applications are processed within 3 working days, but you may receive a decision more quickly. In some cases, processing may take longer. Once your ETA is approved, it will be linked to the passport you used for the application and will be valid for 2 years, allowing you to travel to the UK multiple times during this period. However, if you get a new passport, you will need to apply for a new ETA. Keep in mind that holding an ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK – you will still need to be cleared by a Border Force officer upon arrival.

Currently, if you are not from the countries listed above, you do not need an ETA, however is intended that further nationalities will be added to the list, with the next additions expects in 2025. To stay updated, subscribe to our website for further notifications regarding these changes.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

©Gherson 2024