The UK ETA initiative serves multiple purposes. The pre-arrival screening process aids in enhancing the UK border protocol and security. It also helps gather information about travellers who are visiting the UK. The collected information will be useful to analyse the eligibility and potential risk of travellers entering the United Kingdom. The process of getting a UK ETA is designed to streamline the entry process of UK visitors and offers a seamless experience for travellers.
United Kingdom ETA is a digital entry permit that decides the eligibility of travellers to visit and stay in the United Kingdom. It simplifies the entry process for the nationals who are exempted from UK visas for their short stays or visits to the country. UK ETA is not specified under the category of UK visa, it is designed to permit only short stays.
The nationals of UK visa requirement exempt countries can apply for UK ETA. Currently, the nationals of the below-mentioned countries travelling to the UK must apply for UK ETA.
Travellers must check the full eligibility list to verify if they need a UK ETA with respect to their UK trip date. UK ETA should be acquired before a traveller’s arrival in the United Kingdom. Every traveller who is eligible must get a separate UK ETA to enter the UK.
UK ETA has not been made mandatory for many travellers visiting the United Kingdom. Citizens of the following categories are exempted from the UK ETA requirement.
Besides being citizens of eligible countries for applying to UK ETA, travellers must meet the below requirements to obtain UK ETA.
A UK ETA will be valid for two years starting from the issuance or approval date, but it also comes with certain conditions. If the applicant’s passport expires within the validity of the UK ETA, then the applicant's UK ETA will become invalid. If so, applicants are required to apply for a new UK ETA.
UK ETA is designed for short stays. Travellers can stay for a maximum of 180 days (six months) in the United Kingdom for short-term studies, tourism and business activities or visiting friends or family members. UK ETA only permits 90 days (three months) of stay for Creative Worker visa concession only when they have valid temporary work in the United Kingdom.
UK ETA facilitates multiple visits for travellers, in terms of using it travellers can stay for 6 months for each entry into the United Kingdom.
The UK ETA only requires a minimal documentation process. Ensure to have the following documents.
Knowing the validity and processing time is important to calculate the ideal time to apply for UK ETA. Applicants usually receive their UK ETA within three days. The validity of UK ETA is 2 years. Applicants must submit their UK ETA application at least 5 days or a week before their planned travel date.
Please note that travellers opting for UK ETA for their UK trip must obtain it prior to their departure to the United Kingdom. If travellers are travelling with the group, each individual should submit a separate UK ETA application form, and the processing time differs for each person. In such cases, apply early to ensure everybody in the group has an approved UK ETA.
The application procedure for UK ETA is simple, all eligible applicants can follow the process below.
Travellers should wait till the UK ETA processing time (which is usually three days). Upon the approval of the UK ETA application travellers can receive it via their email ID. Travellers who wish to know their application process status during the UK ETA processing time can check their UK ETA application status online. For checking the status travellers should enter their application number or date of birth and passport number.
The UK ETA application requires only minimal details which are listed below
The UK ETA application form also has questions about criminal convictions, employment status, etc. Answering the questions is important because it helps the UK authorities to assess traveller’s eligibility to enter the United Kingdom. Please note travellers are mandated to disclose their criminal convictions, if any.
The UK ETA allows travellers for multiple entries and exits into the United Kingdom till the expiry of their passport or UK ETA (whichever happens first). Once the UK ETA is approved, travellers can visit the UK multiple times and for each entry they can stay for a maximum of six months. The six-month stay duration applies only for business, short-term study or tourism travel purposes.
There is no need for reapplication for each entry into the United Kingdom. However, travellers must adhere to the entry requirements and immigration checks and regulations each time they enter the UK with their UK ETA.
Travellers cannot extend their UK ETA. If they wish to stay longer in the UK, they should leave the country first and get an appropriate UK visa that allows an extension or fits their desired stay duration in the United Kingdom. Travellers can visit the UK multiple times with their UK ETA, but they must plan the return journey within the authorized six months (for each entry).
Staying beyond six months will affect the traveller’s future travels and visa applications. Travellers overstaying the UK ETA are breaching the UK immigration law and it will lead to serious consequences such as penalties, imprisonment, deportation, etc. In case of an emergency situation, contacting the relevant UK authorities to report the emergency is essential.
The UK ETA does not offer a renewal facility. Travellers must get a new UK ETA upon expiry of their current UK ETA.
Certain circumstances which demand travellers to apply for a new UK ETA are mentioned below.
Children and minors accompanying their parents to the United Kingdom must have their separate UK ETA. The adults (guardians or parents) can submit a UK ETA application form on their child’s behalf. The UK ETA application form will require parent's or legal guardian’s details. The fee and application process are similar for both adults and children.
If the UK ETA application process exceeds the approximate time (which is three days), it becomes essential to address the situation. Check the application status online. The tracker provides the status of the application, such as reviewing, approved or rejected. Contact the respective authorities to get additional information or updates regarding the delay in the application process.
All eligible travellers are mandated to apply for UK ETA for their UK trip. Travellers can still enter the United Kingdom even if their UK ETA application is rejected or denied by applying for other UK visas. Please note that travellers getting a UK visa (after the rejection of their UK ETA application) must have it approved before arriving in the United Kingdom.
Knowing the steps to follow after the UK ETA rejection will be helpful to address the situation. Review the UK ETA rejection letter carefully to know the reason for rejection. Understanding the specific reason for application denial will help to correct or address the issues. Consider applying for a UK Visitor visa.
Having a UK ETA makes travellers eligible to stay or enter the UK. However, travellers with a UK ETA must still follow the border control protocol and immigration check after their arrival in the United Kingdom.
Once approved, the UK ETA will be directly linked to a traveller’s passport, so carrying a physical copy will not be necessary. The UK immigration authorities will use traveller’s passport to check their UK ETA. Even though having a physical copy is not mandatory, it is recommended to travellers for documentation purposes, it will benefit the travellers in various ways.
Travellers cannot submit a group application for the UK ETA. Each individual in the group (if travelling with a friend group or others) must submit their UK ETA application. Please note that even if all the members in the group submitted their application at the same time, the application process time varies for each individual. Each individual might receive their UK ETA application decision at different times.
Group travellers applying for UK ETA are advised to apply early to ensure all the members in the group get their UK ETA approved before their planned travel date.
Individuals who hold both British and Irish citizenship are exempted from getting UK ETA to enter the United Kingdom.
Travellers entering the United Kingdom through the sea route via a cruise do not need to get a UK ETA. The regulations clearly state that the UK ETA requirement is mandatory only for travellers entering the UK by air.
All the travellers applying for UK ETA must adhere to the digital photo requirements, which are mentioned below.
Individuals can submit a UK ETA application for their friends or family members. In such cases, before starting the application process, gather all the necessary documents from the respective person. When entering the details in the application form, provide accurate details and documents.