What you need to know about the UK’s new ETA entry permit
The United Kingdom is joining the EU, US and Canada by implementing its own ETA scheme.
By Chris Ashton, March 10 2023
Travellers jetting off to the United Kingdom in the near future will soon face a very different entry process, but not just yet, with the island nation delaying the rollout of its new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme until the third quarter of this year.
Following a similar approach to the United States’ ESTA and Canada’s eTA, the UK ETA will require visa-exempt travellers (excluding British and Irish citizens) to apply for permission to travel in advance of their trip, simply by filling out a brief online form and paying a fee.
The rollout was planned to begin in Q1 of this year, but has since been pushed back to October, with Qatari nationals now the first cabs of the rank, followed by member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council in February 2024. The rest of the world will then follow.
Britain’s Home Secretary previously described this ‘permission to enter’ scheme, introduced via the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 bill, as making it “easier for our friends to come to and contribute to the UK, but harder for those we do not want to come here”.
The European Union is introducing its own version too, known as ETIAS, in 2024.
Although a departure from the current process, it’s actually rather straightforward.
In this article:
How does the UK ETA work?
Prior to travel, passengers from approved countries will need to complete an online application form which covers various details such as contact information, biometric data and travel plans, in addition to some simple eligibility questions.
Responses are then checked against a variety of security databases and, if the application is successful, the traveller should receive their ETA within 48 to 72 hours.
On arrival, the border process remains unchanged, with passengers still required to line up at immigration. However, with travellers having already been vetted prior to travel, it’s hoped the new ETA will speed up the process significantly.
It’s worth noting the ETA is not a visa; it merely authorises individuals to board a carrier and travel to the UK.
When does the UK ETA come into effect?
A phased rollout of the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme will now begin in October 2023, with the Home Office claiming the program will be fully in place by the end of 2024.
The rollout will follow the below schedule:
- October 2023: Qatar
- February 2024: Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia
- Rest of the world by the end of 2024
Who can apply for the UK ETA?
Full details are yet to be revealed, but it’s expected the list of countries eligible for a British ETA will be in line with the nation’s existing visa exemption list. That includes arrivals from countries in the EU, along with Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.
As is currently the case, individuals arriving in the UK via Northern Ireland, will still be subject to standard UK immigration requirements, including the need for visitors to have an ETA.
Will British and Irish nationals need an ETA?
No, British and Irish nationals will not require an ETA to enter the UK. Those legally residing in Ireland will not need an ETA when travelling to the UK from within the Common Travel Area.
How to apply for the UK ETA
Once the ETA program is released to the general public, travellers will need to apply for an ETA by visiting the Visa & Immigration page of the official Government website: Gov.uk
How much is a UK ETA?
The British Home Office says full details of the scheme, including how much an ETA costs, will be announced “be in line with similar international schemes”. If we look to those similar schemes around the world, we do get an idea of what to expect:
- Canada’s eTA is CAD$7 (AUD$7.50)
- The European Union’s ETIAS will cost €7 (AUD$11)
- The United States’ ESTA is USD$21 (AUD$29)
How long is the UK ETA valid for?
The validity period will be two years, with individuals able to make multiple visits over that time.
What happens if I don’t have a UK ETA?
Travellers will need to provide proof of an approved ETA to their carrier prior to travel, either in printed or digital form. The Home Office says it will alert carriers to the status of passengers before travel.
If a passenger arrives without an ETA, they may face a penalty charge.
Does the ETA replace a visa?
No, the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation applies to short stays of up to six months for tourism and business purposes only and does not replace a visa.
Those visiting for other purposes, such as living or working in the UK, still need to apply for an appropriate visa.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
24 Aug 2018
Total posts 105
Wonderful, my family of 7 will be in the UK from1 June 2023 until the 27th. I trust they can get their act together to clearly advise Commonwealth members what is required. Todate the advice concerning wavers is totally ambiguous; time to put it all in English!
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 600
Might help to read the article, I would direct you to the part which advised the dates it is to be implemented.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge
01 Sep 2011
Total posts 412
If it's not one thing then it's something else that travelers have to pay for. Never ending.
01 Dec 2011
Total posts 25
I'm hoping to visit family and friends in UK in May, for 2-3 weeks, then do a cruise somewhere in Europe. It was easy to check that I don't need a visa. My British passport expired several years ago and I didn't renew it, but my Australian passport is still valid. So UK will be OK, but need to check about EU.
25 Jan 2023
Total posts 1
I have dual Australian/ British passports. I always enter UK on my British passport - will I still need an ETA or are British passport holders exempt?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Mar 2016
Total posts 55
Given how efficiently they do things in the UK I can't imagine they will have any problem
25 Jan 2023
Total posts 1
Why would they expect British born Australians to apply for this permit. I thought if you were born there you could enter visa or permit free.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jun 2017
Total posts 40
Probably should mention that australia invented these damn things and has been making people pay for them since 2008.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jan 2017
Total posts 24
Highly likely that Australian passport holder with a valid UK ETA and qualify for visa exemption will continue to use the electronic gates, rather than lining up to see a Border Force Officer as indicated above.
It's also worth noting that Australia has had an ETA in place for several years and charges visitors A$20
27 Jan 2023
Total posts 1
I always found the Poms to have a lot of front, but this takes the cake. The UK gave Europe the "chop" a little while ago trade-wise and then they decided they'd do business with "the colonies" again. Now the Poms are proposing this!!!! The upcoming Ashes tour needs to be cancelled based on this affront!!! I was going to go to the UK for the Ashes but now they can get stuffed!!!!! Grüße aus Australien!!!!
09 May 2020
Total posts 541
Some sources suggest this ETA also apply to those transiting UK airports onto other non uk destinations which is similar to other countries who has implemented ETA system, but the actual uk government website doesn’t currently state this.
Interesting regional selection of phasing in process. Of course I have no proof that this is preferentially affecting pax of various popular transcontinental airlines based in this particular region, except to note these airlines compete directly with BA on their east bound routes.
United Airlines - Million Miler
28 Jan 2023
Total posts 1
I live in MI and cross the border by car every month. Does this affect ground border crossings like mine?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Oct 2017
Total posts 86
New name for an Arrival/ Departure Tax ?? Would prefer if they don't call it a permit but rather a "charge" with some questions attached
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1189
It seems the UK ETA scheme may also be delayed. The UK Government websites have become vague on exact launch dates and now just say the system will be fully operational by the end of 2024.
16 Oct 2012
Total posts 40
EU, USA, UK, Canada, et al… it’s like back to the future. (Australia’s been there for years!)
I remember decades ago having to apply and pay for various visas.
Eventually nations saw the benefits of making it simple and less expensive for travellers to visit.
Now a new generation of politicians worldwide are erecting travel obstacles long dispensed with. That’s in spite of intergovernmental data matching making these schemes somewhat redundant before they start.
It truly smacks to me of nothing more than revenue raising.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Mar 2023
Total posts 3
Presumably the onus will be on the airlines to do the appropriate checking. You would think if they allow a passenger on without the appropriate documents the repatriation would be at their cost. I hope that the only requirement of dual passport holders will be to produce a valid UK passport at the time of of check-in. One would think that to exit Australia you would use your Australian passport.
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