Evangelos Kasapakis

Save post

UK ETA 2025: United Kingdom's Electronic Travel Authorisation

Tips & Tricks, Top Stories, Travel, What’s on
Posted 4 months ago

A comprehensive guide by the Team at Greeklist.

If you’re planning to visit or transit through the United Kingdom, you may need a UK ETA—short for Electronic Travel Authorisation. This guide explains everything you need to know in 2025 about the UK ETA system: what it is, who needs it, how to apply, costs, validity, and more.

What Is the UK ETA?

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital travel approval that travelers from certain visa-exempt travelers must obtain before entering or transiting through the United Kingdom. While it’s not a visa, it acts as a pre-travel security check to determine whether someone is eligible to travel to the UK.

Introduced as part of the UK’s shift toward a fully digital border, the ETA allows the government to:

✅ Screen travelers before they arrive, checking against security and immigration databases
✅ Prevent entry for individuals who may pose a threat or have a history of immigration violations
✅ Make border processes faster and more efficient for legitimate visitors

In short, the ETA helps ensure that only pre-approved, low-risk travelers can enter the UK without a visa, while maintaining national security and border control integrity. It’s similar to the US ESTA, Canada’s eTA, and the EU’s upcoming ETIAS system.

Who Needs a UK ETA in 2025?

The UK ETA is required for nationals of countries that do not currently need a visa to enter the UK. If you’re from a visa-free country, you must apply for an ETA before you travel—whether you’re visiting for a short stay or simply passing through.

✅You will need an ETA if you:

Are a citizen of a visa-exempt country, meaning you’re allowed to enter the UK without a visa for short visits (e.g., citizens of Gulf countries, with more countries to be added).

Plan to visit the UK for purposes such as: Tourism (e.g., holidays, visiting family and friends), Business (e.g., meetings, short-term assignments), Short-term study (courses up to six months) and Medical treatment

Are transiting through the UK, even if you’re not leaving the airport in some cases (depending on the type of transit).

❌ You do not need a UK ETA if you are:

British citizen or Irish citizen – both are fully exempt due to the Common Travel Area and UK citizenship rights.

Someone with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme – this means you already have permission to live in the UK long term.

A holder of a valid UK visa – your visa already grants you entry, so no ETA is required.

A legal resident of Ireland, as long as you do not require a visa to enter the UK under the Common Travel Area arrangements. (Some exceptions may apply based on nationality.)

How to Apply for a UK ETA (Step-by-Step)

Applying for a UK ETA is simple and can be done entirely online in just a few minutes. You can choose to apply either through the official UK government website or by downloading the UK ETA mobile app on your smartphone.

Where to Apply for a UK ETA

UK Government Website – accessible from any device with internet
UK ETA App (iOS) – Download from the App Store
UK ETA App (Android) – Download from Google Play

All platforms lead you through the same secure and guided application process.

What You’ll Need to Apply for a UK ETA

Before you start, make sure you have the following ready:

A valid biometric passport – this is a passport with a chip and the biometric symbol on the cover.
A clear, passport-style digital photo – showing your face, taken in good lighting against a plain background.
Your contact details – including email address and phone number.
Answers to basic eligibility and security questions – such as your reason for travel, immigration history, and any relevant criminal convictions.

The application process is designed to be quick and user-friendly. Most people finish it in under 10 minutes.

UK ETA Application Fee

£10: The fee for an ETA application is £10 if you apply before 8 April 2025.
£16: From 9 April 2025 onward, the application fee will increase to £16.

This fee applies to each individual application, so if you are traveling with family or friends, each person will need to submit their own ETA application and pay the fee separately.

⏱ Processing Time:

Quick Approval: In most cases, your UK ETA will be approved within minutes after you submit your application.
Potential Delays: If additional checks are required, processing may take up to 3 working days. For this reason, it’s always best to apply well in advance.

Tip: Apply at least 3 working days before your travel date to avoid any last-minute delays or issues with your ETA approval.

How UK ETA Applications Are Checked

Every ETA application is rigorously checked to ensure travelers meet all safety and legal criteria:

Security Watchlists: Applications are checked against security databases to identify individuals who may be a threat to national security or public safety.
Immigration Databases: The system ensures travelers comply with immigration laws and are eligible to enter the UK based on their past travel history and current circumstances.
Criminal & International Intelligence: The ETA also screens applicants against international criminal databases and intelligence systems to help prevent individuals with serious criminal backgrounds from entering the UK.

UK ETA Validity Period

Once your UK ETA is approved, it comes with a set validity period that allows you to travel to the UK multiple times within that time frame.

Your ETA will be valid for 2 years from the date of approval, or
Until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

So if your passport expires before the 2-year period, your ETA will be valid only until that expiration date.

✅ What You Can Do with Your UK ETA?

Enter the UK Multiple Times: Once approved, your ETA lets you visit the UK multiple times during its validity, making it a flexible option for short-term travelers, where you can stay:

Up to 6 months: Per visit for purposes like tourism, business, or short-term study (courses lasting less than 6 months).
Up to 3 months: If you’re entering the UK under the Creative Worker visa concession, you can stay for up to 3 months during each visit. This allows you to work in the UK for certain creative activities, like performances or events.

✈️ UK Transit ETA Rules

If you’re transiting through the UK—meaning you’re passing through the country without staying long—you might need an ETA, depending on whether you stay in the secure zone (airside) or enter the country (landside). Here’s what you need to know:

❌ Airside Transit (Not Passing Border Control): No ETA required (temporarily)

If you’re staying in the airside area of the airport (where you don’t go through UK border control), you do not need an ETA. This applies to passengers who are just transferring between flights without leaving the airport.

✅ Landside Transit (Entering the UK Briefly): ETA required

If you need to leave the airside area and enter the UK for any reason (e.g., changing terminals, waiting for a connecting flight outside the secure zone), you will need to apply for an ETA. This is true even if you’re only staying briefly in the UK while in transit to another destination.

Note: Make sure to check your transit type ahead of time when planning your travel to avoid any surprises! The airside exemption might be subject to change, so staying up-to-date is essential.

Why Is the UK ETA Important?

The UK ETA system is designed to strengthen the UK’s border security and ensure that only travelers who meet specific criteria can enter the country. Here’s how it benefits UK authorities:

1. Screening Travelers Before Arrival

The ETA system allows the UK government to pre-screen travelers before they even reach the border. This gives authorities valuable time to check for any potential threats or issues before someone arrives in the country, ensuring that only those who meet all requirements are allowed entry.

2. Denying Travel to High-Risk Individuals

The ETA helps authorities deny travel to individuals who might pose a security threat, have a history of immigration violations, or may not meet the conditions for entry into the UK. By filtering out those who do not meet the eligibility criteria, the ETA system reduces the risk of illegal immigration and enhances national security.

3. Monitoring Entry Patterns & Enhancing Border Efficiency

By processing ETA applications in advance, the UK can better track entry patterns and anticipate the flow of travelers, which in turn allows for faster processing at the border. This helps authorities allocate resources more effectively, streamline entry for approved travelers, and minimize delays for those who pose no risk.

Final Tips Before You Travel to the UK

To ensure your journey to the UK goes smoothly, here are some essential final tips to follow:

✅ Apply for Your ETA Early

While the process is fast, it’s always a good idea to apply for your ETA well in advance. This allows you time to address any issues or delays, especially if further checks are required. Aim to apply at least 3 working days before your travel date to avoid last-minute stress.

✅ Double-Check Your Passport and Photo

Make sure your passport is valid and has at least six months of validity left before your trip. Also, ensure your digital passport-style photo is clear, recent, and meets the requirements (no glasses, plain background, etc.) to avoid any issues during the application process.

✅ Verify Your ETA’s Validity Before Traveling

Before you board your flight, double-check that your ETA is approved and valid for the duration of your trip. Keep a copy of your ETA confirmation in your email or app so you can easily access it at the airport if needed.