UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): What You Need to Know in 2025
If you are planning to visit the United Kingdom and you are not a visa national, you may now need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding your flight. This new requirement is part of the UK’s evolving border security framework and is designed to enhance pre-screening of travellers before they arrive in the country.
In this detailed guide, our UK immigration lawyers explain everything you need to know about the ETA – who needs one, how to apply, who is exempt, and what can cause an application to be refused. Whether you’re a traveller, business visitor, or representative advising clients, this article will help you navigate the rules with confidence.
What Is an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?
A UK Electronic Travel Authorisation is a digital permission to travel to the UK. It is required by specified non-visa nationals who are entering the UK either as visitors or in limited work categories, such as Creative Workers. It is not a visa and does not guarantee entry. It simply allows a traveller to board a flight or travel carrier bound for the UK.
Upon arrival, Border Force officers will still assess the individual’s eligibility for entry under the Immigration Rules. An ETA is valid for multiple entries over a two-year period or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
Do You Need an ETA to Visit the UK?
You need an ETA if you are a non-visa national and you are:
Travelling to the UK as a visitor
Transiting through the UK (unless airside transit is allowed for your nationality)
Entering as a Creative Worker under the Temporary Work route (CRV 3.2)
Every traveller must have their own ETA, including children and infants.
Who Is Exempt from the ETA Requirement?
You do not need an ETA if you are:
A British citizen
An Irish citizen (except where subject to deportation, exclusion, or travel bans)
A British Overseas Territory Citizen (BOTC) travelling on a BOTC passport
A person with valid UK immigration permission (e.g. visa, settled status)
Exempt from UK immigration control
A third-country non-visa national legally resident in Ireland and travelling within the Common Travel Area (CTA)
Currently, airside transit passengers are also temporarily exempt from requiring an ETA. However, this is a temporary exemption and may change.
The ETA Rollout Timeline
The UK Home Office has introduced the ETA system in stages, based on nationality:
From 15 November 2023: Qatar
From 22 February 2024: Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE
From 8 January 2025: All other non-visa nationals (except Europeans)
From 2 April 2025: European nationals (including EU and EEA citizens)
Important: As of September 2024, Jordanian nationals have been reclassified as visa nationals and no longer qualify for an ETA.
How to Apply for an ETA
The ETA application process is mostly automated and straightforward. Applicants must:
Complete an online form
Provide biographic details and a facial biometric image
Answer a short set of security and criminal history questions
Most applicants will receive a decision within three working days. However, if your application is flagged for further checks – such as identity verification or adverse information – a human decision-maker will assess it.
Once granted, your ETA is electronically linked to your passport.
Withdrawing or Changing an ETA Application
Once submitted, an ETA application cannot be withdrawn or amended. Even if you contact the Home Office, requests to vary or cancel applications will be refused.
If you need to make changes, the only option is to submit a new application.
Can You Appeal an ETA Refusal?
There is no right of appeal or administrative review for an ETA refusal. However, if your ETA was granted through a fully automated process and you believe there was an error, you may request a human review within one calendar month.
For refused applications, a human decision-maker will have already reviewed the case, so no further challenge is available through the ETA scheme. Applicants may still apply for a full UK visa if they believe they are eligible through another route.
ETA Validity and Biometric Requirements
To be valid, your application must include:
A passport that proves your identity and nationality
A clear digital facial image (biometric)
Failure to meet these requirements will result in automatic rejection. You may reapply once the correct documents are available.
Suitability Requirements: When Can an ETA Be Refused?
Even if your identity and documents are valid, the Home Office may still refuse your ETA application on suitability grounds. These are strict and mandatory. If any of the following apply to you, your ETA will be refused:
1. You are subject to exclusion or deportation:
You are excluded by a personal direction from the Secretary of State
You are under a deportation order
2. You have a criminal record:
You were convicted of a criminal offence (UK or overseas) and sentenced to 12+ months
You were convicted of any offence within the last 12 months
3. Your presence is not conducive to the public good:
Based on conduct, character, or associations
Includes terrorism, extremism, war crimes, or supporting dangerous groups
4. You breached UK immigration laws in the past:
Overstayed a visa or entered the UK illegally
Used deception in a visa or immigration application
5. You have made false representations:
Submitted false documents
Failed to disclose important facts in a current or previous ETA or visa application
6. You owe litigation costs:
If you have unpaid court costs awarded to the Home Office, your ETA will be refused
7. You had a previous ETA cancelled or refused as a visitor:
Previous cancellation or refusal may result in automatic refusal unless later permission was granted with full knowledge of that history
Self-Declared Criminality and War Crimes
All applicants must self-declare criminal convictions or involvement in war crimes, terrorism, or extremist organisations. A failure to disclose this, when the Home Office holds evidence to the contrary, will lead to mandatory refusal.
Even historic offences or associations can be grounds for refusal, depending on the nature and seriousness of the matter.
Overseas Convictions: What Counts?
Only convictions that are directly equivalent to a UK criminal offence will result in refusal. For example, a conviction abroad for homosexuality or trade union membership would not automatically disqualify you, as these are not criminal acts in the UK.
However, serious offences such as theft, violence, or drug offences will be considered similarly to UK offences.
Stolen or Lost Passports
If your passport has been reported as lost or stolen, any ETA application using that document will be rejected automatically. You must apply again using a valid replacement passport.
ETA for Creative Workers
Creative Workers seeking to enter the UK for short-term engagements must also apply for an ETA. This includes those coming under the Temporary Work – Creative Worker route under Appendix T5 of the Immigration Rules.
The same identity and suitability checks apply.
How Can a UK Immigration Lawyer Help with an ETA Refusal?
If your ETA application is refused or cancelled, the consequences can be significant. You may be denied boarding, entry to the UK, or even be subject to further restrictions on future travel.
While there is no formal appeal process, a UK immigration lawyer can:
Advise whether you meet the requirements for another type of UK visa
Help you understand the reason for your refusal
Assist with compiling evidence for a future application
Prepare a formal visa application where appropriate
Legal advice is especially important where the refusal relates to criminal records, past overstays, or conduct deemed non-conducive to the public good.
Key Takeaways
An ETA is now required for most non-visa nationals travelling to the UK
It is valid for two years and multiple entries
The application process is online and mostly automated
You must meet identity and suitability requirements
There is no appeal for refusal – but legal advice is available
Past criminality, immigration breaches, or dishonesty will result in mandatory refusal
Need Help with an ETA Application or Refusal?
At UKimmigration.law, our team of experienced UK immigration lawyers is here to help. Whether you’re unsure if you qualify, need help with an ETA refusal, or are exploring other immigration options, we provide expert advice tailored to your circumstances.
Contact us today to speak with a qualified UK immigration lawyer and get your travel plans back on track.