Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Requirement Explained

From the end of 2024, “non-visa nationals” (this means people who do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom) will need to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (“ETA”) before coming to the United Kingdom. The rules are set out here Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation - Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

So, anyone visiting the United Kingdom (except British and Irish citizens and those nationals who already have permission to live, work or study in the UK or a visa to enter the UK) will need to be issued with either an ETA or a visa under The Immigration Rules “Appendix Visitor” Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix V: Visitor - Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .  

The policy leading this change is improvement of border security. Decision makers will have more information about non visa visitors and more time to screen them before they come to the UK. The government says it will also reduce the number of people denied entry at the border because they will not have been permitted to travel in the first place. There will be a charge for the ETA, but this has not yet been confirmed and an ETA will be valid for a period of 2 years.

The rules are already in force for some non-visa nationals, for nationals of Qatar from 15th November 2023, and from 22nd February 2024, for nationals of Bahrain, Joran, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and UAE.

The Rules set out in Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation follow the usual pattern. The rules are introduced by a paragraph describing the purpose of the rules. It then goes on to set out the validity, and suitability requirements and the grounds on which an Electronic Travel Authorisation may be refused on grounds of criminality, previous breach of immigration laws, false representations, debts to the NHS, unpaid litigation costs and where the applicant’s presence is not conducive to the public good because of their conduct, character, association or other reasons.

The Home Office state that the process will be quick and light touch and that most applicants will receive a response within 3 working days. The application will be made through the “UK ETA App” or on the gov.uk website under “Apply for an ETA to come to the UK”.

Our team in Glasgow and Edinburgh advise on all aspects of immigration law and should you require any further advice relating to these matters please do contact us.