In the latest statement of changes to the Immigration Rules, the UK Government has announced the implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme.
This new scheme is aimed at enhancing pre-arrival screening of non-visa nationals who are seeking UK entry permission as either a ‘Visitor’, staying in the UK for up to 6 months, or as ‘Temporary Work – Creative Worker’ under the ‘Temporary Work – Creative Working’ visa concession.
This new scheme applies to all nationals who do not currently require a visa to journey to the UK on the previously stated routes and who do not hold any other UK immigration status.
This new change is the beginning of the tightening of immigration controls for those travelling to the UK.
The ETA scheme has been created to help close existing gaps in advance permissions for individuals travelling to the UK as Visitors and Temporary Creative Workers.
By implementing this scheme, the UK government hopes to be able to better screen and assess those travelling for any potential risks before they arrive at the UK border.
Those who are applying for an ETA will need to submit a valid application. The application may may be refused if the Home Office concludes that it doesn’t meet the criteria.
This criteria includes:
It is important to note that a person who is refused an ETA has not been refused permission to enter the UK in general. For this to be allowed they will first need to apply for, and be granted, a UK visa.
Nationalities of the following locations (including countries and associated territories) are subject to the requirement to obtain an ETA for visa-free travel to the UK:
For travel to the UK on or after 22 February 2024:
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia.
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.
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 ETA above, then you are not eligible for an ETA and therefore must apply for a UK visa before visiting the UK.
The ETA application process opened on 25th October 2023 for Qatari nationals travelling to the UK on or after 15th November 2023.
The ETA application process opened on 1st February 2024 for citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia travelling to the UK on or after 222nd February 2024.
The process will open on the 27th of November for those nationals previously stated above when travelling after the 8th of January.
You can apply using the ETA app or via an online form. There will be a £10 fee required to complete your application and you must provide valid details including your contact and passport details, a valid passport photo and answer a set of questions regarding your suitability.
If you’re worried about these changes and how these may affect you, speak to our experts at Five Star for guidance and support throughout your journey.
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