Are you looking to visit the UK? Then please consider the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme

The UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme will apply to the vast majority of overseas arrivals. This new requirement is part of the UK’s effort to improve its border security and will soon apply to visitors from many visa-free countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and European nations. This will apply to any port of entry to the UK whether arriving in Belfast or London.

An ETA is a form of pre-approval required for visitors from visa-free countries who wish to visit the UK (Belfast or London) for short stays, typically up to six months. The new government says: “Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission to travel in advance of coming here. This can be either through an Electronic Travel Authorisation or an eVisa.” If you intend in entering through Belfast or London then considering the need for an ETA is of paramount importance. As immigration lawyers we advise clients of the need to pre-plan any trips to Belfast or London in advance.

The ETA costs £10 and is valid for multiple entries to the UK over the course of two years or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever is sooner. This fee is the same whether you intend to enter the UK through Belfast or London. Ministers say rolling out the scheme worldwide will “prevent abuse of our immigration system”. As immigration lawyers we advise companies and private individuals in Belfast and London to check the likes of passport expiry dates prior to travelling to the UK.

Nationalities of the following locations (including countries and associated territories) whether entering through Belfast or London are subject to the requirement to obtain an ETA for visa free travel to the UK:

(a) for travel to the UK on or after 15 November 2023: Qatar;

(b) for travel to the UK on or after 22 February 2024: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia;

(c) for travel to the UK on or after 8 January 2025: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British National (Overseas)), Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao Special Administrative Region, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall, Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan (only those who hold a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan), The Bahamas, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United States, Uruguay;

(d) for travel to the UK on or after 2 April 2025: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City.
If you are a national of a location that is not mentioned in the list of countries and territories that require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) above then you are not eligible for an ETA. You must apply for a UK visa before visiting the UK.

You can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation using the ETA App, or via an online form. As immigration lawyers we can advise companies whether in Belfast or London on how to apply successfully for an ETA to enter the UK. When you apply for a UK ETA you will need to pay an Electronic Travel Authorisation application fee of £10, provide your contact and passport details, a valid passport photo and answer a set of questions about suitability.

Following the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 217), published on 10 September 2024, UK ETA applicants will now be required to use a national passport when applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation, aligning this process with the visa requirements outlined in the Immigration Rules. Travellers using any document other than a national passport will need to apply for a UK visa instead of an ETA. As immigration lawyers based in Belfast and London we can help advise on the above requirements further.

CMC Immigration Law is an immigration practice based in London and Belfast which provides UK immigration services and solutions to businesses and private individuals throughout the world.