Alongside the eVisa roll out, the creation of the UK's first Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme or ETA, announced last year, forms another part of the plan to digitise the UK border and immigration system. The hope is that the ETA system will help prevent abuse of the system and enhance security at the border.
Who will need to apply for an ETA?
The scheme will apply to those individuals visiting or transiting the UK who are not currently required to apply for a visa before they travel. It will also apply to those workers seeking entry at the border under the creative worker category. Once the ETA scheme is fully rolled out, all travellers will need some form of advance permission, either via a visa or ETA, to come to the UK.
The roll out of the ETA has been undertaken in phases and will continue into 2025. The next phase of the roll out was announced last week and the table below sets out the key stages.
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15 November 2023 |
The ETA system was formally introduced for Qatari nationals only |
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22 February 2024 |
The following nationals were added to the mandatory ETA list in early 2024
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From 8 January 2025 |
Travellers from the following non-EU countries will need to have a UK ETA for authorisation to travel to the UK
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From 2 April 2025 |
Travellers from the following EU countries will need to have a UK ETA for authorisation to travel to the UK |
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An ETA is not a visa and does not grant permission to remain in the UK. Holders of ETAs will still only be allowed to stay in the UK for a maximum stay of 6 months as visitors can now. They will also have to ensure they are coming into the UK for a permitted visiting activity such as business or tourism.
The ETA will be linked to the travellers passport and can be used to enter the UK for up to 2 years or until the expiry of the passport it is linked to. The application itself will cost £10 and is a single payment to cover the full duration of the 2 years.
In terms of the Common Travel Area, British and Irish citizens will not need an ETA and UK will not operate routine immigration controls on journeys within the CTA.
Individuals who require an ETA who are legally resident in Ireland will not need an ETA to travel into the UK from within the Common Travel Area, provided they carry with them evidence of their residence in Ireland. If they travel into the UK from outside of the CTA they will require an ETA.
How do you apply for it?
The application process is straightforward. Applicants can apply online or via the 'UK ETA App' which can be found here for Apple devices and here for Android. They will need to have their passport handy and some payment details.
An applicant will need to provide a valid email address, take a photo of the passport page and themselves and scan their face and the chip in their passport. They will also be asked some suitability questions.
The applicant should receive a decision within 3 working days. As this is 'electronic' authorisation, an individual will not be required to carry evidence of this status as it is linked to their passport.
Could an application for an ETA be refused?
An application for an ETA be refused, for instance if someone has an adverse immigration history, if they have a criminal record or have used deception in an application before. An application for an ETA could also be refused if someone has previously been refused a visitor visa or permission to enter as a visitor. If there is a subsequent successful permission to enter or stay granted with knowledge of the cancellation the traveller may reapply for an ETA.
There is no right of administrative review or appeal against a refusal of an ETA. If someone is refused, they will have to consider making a visitor visa application or some other form of visa application via the standard process.
Are there any potential problems with the ETA Scheme?
The scheme is not without controversy. As with any digitalised process that relies on algorithmic decision making, mistakes can be made and data stores may not be accurate. It may be difficult for travellers to address erroneous decision if there is no right of appeal.
The ETA is also causing a headache for some industries and sectors. The Irish tourist industry is concerned that foreign tourists will not be able to pop over the border for a day trip to northern Ireland if they have not got an ETA in place. There is also concern in the airline industry that requiring travellers who are transiting in a UK airport to obtain an ETA could impact the popularity of UK airports for connecting flights.
With the US ESTA and the EU scheme, ETIAS, coming soon, travel authorisation schemes are clearly here to stay. Most travellers should have little problems securing an ETA but anyone with concerns their history could impact an application would be wise to seek advice first
