From the 8th January 2025, travellers that normally did not need a visa, such as U.S., Canadian and Australian citizens will need a UK ETA. In total 55 countries’ travellers will need to apply for the ETA prior to travelling to the UK. The process takes 3 days and is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires.
The additional countries are added to the GCC countries that already require the UK ETA.
Jordanian Nationals will now be required to apply for a standard UK Visitor Visa.
Countries Requiring UK ETA
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
The Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belize
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Hong Kong (including British national overseas)
Israel
Japan
Kiribati
Kuwait
Macao
Malaysia
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia (Federated States)
Nauru
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Oman
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Qatar
Samoa
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Taiwan (if you have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan)
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uruguay
From the 2nd of April 2025 all of the EU/EEA Countries will also require the ETA. So if you are from Cyprus or Germany ect., you will need an ETA. You will be able to apply for your ETA’s from the 27th November 2024 if you are planning to arrive in the UK in the new year. You will be able to make your application on our website.
EU/EEA Countries that will require the UK ETA
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 your ETA application is refused, you will need to apply for a UK Visa if you still wish to seek permission to come to the UK.
Why is the ETA scheme being implemented?
The ETA is a component of the UK government’s strategy to enhance and modernize the UK border and immigration framework.
An ETA serves as a digital authorization for travel, allowing the government to conduct thorough security assessments on every visitor prior to their arrival in the UK. This system will enable advance passenger information to be sent to the Home Office, which will then verify whether the traveler is authorized to enter the UK.
The initiative aligns with the measures adopted by numerous other nations regarding border security and aims to deter individuals who may pose a threat to the UK.
Who is required to obtain an ETA?
The ETA is mandated for non-visa nationals, which includes:Â
– Infants and children – Tourists – Business or study visitors – Individuals transiting through the UK – T5 creatives – EEA and Swiss nationals.Â
If you currently do not need a visa to enter the UK, you will need an ETA in the future.
You are not required to obtain an ETA if:Â
– You are a visa national (you will continue to need a visa for short visits) – You have been granted permission to live, work, or study in the UK – You possess a British or Irish passport – You are legally residing in Ireland and do not need a visa to enter the UK – You are exempt from immigration control.
What to do next?
Place your order by completing the application form above, pay for your order and send us your documents.Â
Please call us on +971 50 912 4028 for any additional advice and one of our team would be happy to help.
Your personal details shall be treated as important and confidential and shall not be passed to any third parties for marketing purposes.
Global Law Immigration Consultancy in UK are authorised and regulated by the OISC: F20210027.