Traveling to the UK? Don’t Skip This Step
New entry requirements now apply to visitors from 87 countries—even for short visits and layovers.
Headed to London, Edinburgh, or even just passing through Heathrow? A new UK travel requirement means millions of visitors now need to apply for travel authorization—even for a quick layover or weekend city break.
Part of a broader effort to digitize its borders, the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is technically not a visa. But for travelers from 87 visa-exempt countries, it functions a bit like one—and you’ll need to apply for it before you arrive.
The good news: It’s simple to apply for, costs £16, and lasts for two years (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first). It also allows multiple entries and exits during that timeframe.
Who needs a UK ETA?
The UK’s ETA program began rolling out in late 2023, starting with visitors from Qatar. In early 2024, it expanded to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Then, 47 more nationalities were added on January 8, 2025, including the U.S., Canada, and Israel; parts of Asia, Central and South America, and Oceania; and several Caribbean islands. Finally, in what UK officials described as “the last major step” of the program’s rollout, 34 European countries were added to the list on April 2.
Net net: Travelers from 87 countries, special administrative regions, and territories will now need an ETA to visit England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, unless they already hold a visa; have permission to live, work, or study in the UK; or are British or Irish citizens.
The ETA requirement applies to some airport layovers, too. If you have to change terminals or recheck bags before a connecting flight, you’ll probably need to clear UK border control—in which case, yes, you’ll need an ETA. But if you’ll be transiting through the same terminal and staying airside, you might not. It often comes down to your airline and terminal, so when in doubt, check with your carrier.
How to apply for the UK ETA
Applying for UK ETA is fast, fully digital, and pretty painless. Even better, you don’t need confirmed travel dates to apply. The hardest part is getting a selfie that meets the UK’s photo requirements (more on that below.)
Since I fully expect to return to London in the next couple of years (for Frieze, if nothing else), I went ahead and applied for one earlier this week.
Pro tip: Use the app. While you can apply for an ETA online, it’s a lot slower. When I tried the browser option last Monday at 2.55PM ET, I got a wait-time of over an hour—and a warning that closing the window would bump me from the queue.
Seeing that virtual queue triggered flashbacks to the dreaded Covid test portals we had to navigate just to travel during the pandemic. I didn’t hesitate—I closed the tab immediately and downloaded the iOS app instead.
That turned out to be the right move: I completed my application in under 7 minutes by app and received ETA approval by email 36 minutes later—literally, while I was working on this post.
What you’ll need to apply via the app
A smartphone with the free UK ETA app installed. Get it: App Store | Google Play
A valid physical passport with a chip (not a photo or scan)
Access to your email for account verification
Ability to pay by Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, Apple Pay, or Google Pay
The fee is £16 (up from £10 earlier this week). The final charge will appear in your local currency and include conversion fees.
What you’ll be asked
Beyond basic info like your name, address, and contact details, you’ll also be asked:
What you do for work (but not where)
Whether you’ve been convicted of a crime
If you’ve ever been involved in, or suspected of, war crimes, terrorism, or extremist activity (including support for related groups or views)
What you’ll need to upload
The trickiest parts of the application involve scanning your passport and taking a photo of your face to “check if you are a real person.”
Some users have reported glitches with both asks, but I found the app’s instructions to be clear and user-friendly—and the process wasn’t at all glitchy. That said, I still needed a couple of tries to get my scans accepted, especially the one of my face.
For your photo, make sure:
You’re standing against a plain white wall with nothing at all behind you
Your eyes are open, clearly visible, and looking directly at the camera
There’s no flash or direct glare
You remove your glasses if they’re tinted or there’s a glare (I had to take mine off, the glare was that bad.)
After you submit
You’ll receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration confirming that your ETA application is being processed.
A second email will follow once approved. Official guidance says to allow up to three (3) business days, but I received mine in minutes, as have many others I’ve spoken with.
Your ETA will be digitally linked to your passport. This is great news: You won’t have to show a printout or QR code as proof of authorization when passing through UK customs. Just bring the same passport you used when applying.
Other things to know about the ETA
An ETA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first) and you can enter and re-enter the UK as many times as you like during that time.
It allows you to visit the UK for up to 6 months at a time for tourism, visiting family and friends, business, or short-term study.
Business travel is covered, but you cannot do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you are doing a permitted paid engagement or event or work on the Creative Worker visa concession.
Babies and children need their own ETA, too.
You must apply for your ETA before you travel to the UK—you can’t just do it on arrival. You can, however, travel to the UK while awaiting the decision.
The UK’s new electronic travel authorization might feel like just one more travel hoop to jump through—but fortunately, it’s a simple one, especially if you use the app. If there’s even a chance you’ll be heading to the UK soon, it’s worth getting it sorted now. Plus, it costs less than checking a bag.
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