ETA UK - entry permit without visa

Background information on the electronic entry permit ETA UK

From autumn 2023, travelers from countries that do not require a visa in the UK - including all EU countries - will need an electronic entry permit (ETA) in addition to a valid passport. This regulation will be introduced in stages. From November 15, 2023, it will initially apply to travelers from Qatar, and from February 22, 2024, to travelers from six other countries in the Middle East: Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. For travelers from EU countries, including Germany, the electronic entry permit requirement is not expected to be introduced until the end of 2024.

There are similar plans for entry into the EU. The introduction of an electronic entry permit (ETIAS) is planned for September 2024. This permit will be mandatory for the entire territory of the EU and will apply to all travelers from third countries who wish to enter the EU without a visa. German citizens are of course not affected by this, but in addition to many non-Europeans, British citizens are also affected, for example.

Who needs an Electronic Travel Authorization for Great Britain?

If you are a Qatari citizen and wish to travel to the UK from November 15, 2023, you will need an ETA. Applications can be made from October 25th.

If you are a citizen of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates, you will need an ETA from 22. February 2024 if you wish to travel to the United Kingdom. Applications can be submitted from February 1, 2024. If you are a citizen of another visa-free country, you do not currently need an ETA. However, there are plans to include other nationalities in the system at a later date.

An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK

Who does not need an ETA to enter the UK?

You do not need an ETA if you either

hold a British or Irish passport
have permission to live, work or study in the UK
or have a visa for the United Kingdom.

If you live in Ireland and are not an Irish citizen, you do not need an ETA as long as all of the following conditions are met:

You are legally established in Ireland.
You do not need a visa to enter the UK.
You are traveling to the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

You can prove your residence in Ireland with one of the following documents:

Irish driving license
Irish learner's permit
Health insurance card
GP visit card
European Health Insurance Card
Irish residence permit
Permanent residence permit
Temporary residence permit
National age card.

The original document must be issued by the Irish government and be valid at the time of travel. If you are under the age of 16, you will not be asked to produce such a document.

Why do I need an ETA?

An ETA is required for various reasons for entry:

To be able to come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, family, business or education.
To work in the UK for up to 3 months under the Creative Worker Visa program.
To be able to travel through the UK, including in transit, without having to pass through UK border control.

Applying for an ETA for England

You must apply for your ETA via the UK ETA app or online at GOV.UK. It is also possible to apply on behalf of another person. person. Each traveler, including children and babies, must receive their own ETA. As a rule, you will receive a decision within 3 working days, but it could be quicker. If further checks are required, it may take longer than 3 working days.

Apply for an ETA UK directly from Visas United

To apply for or renew an electronic entry permit via Visas United, please contact our team by phone or email. You can reach us Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm by telephone on 0211-9365000 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Costs for your ETA UK application

An ETA costs £10 per applicant, the equivalent of around 12 euros.

Total price Visas United incl. service fee and payment transaction fees = 79 euros.

The service fee includes entering your application into the authorities' system, payment and the necessary fees.

How do I receive my ETA?

You will receive an e-mail confirmation as soon as your application has been approved. We will electronically link your ETA to the passport you used to apply. You must use the same passport for your future travels. You can submit your application through Visas United.

How long is an ETA valid for?

Your ETA is valid for two years. If your passport expires in less than two years, you will need to apply for a new ETA. You can use it for multiple trips to the UK. However, you must either use the ePassport gate, if you are eligible, or see a border control officer to enter the UK.

Who cannot apply for an ETA permit?

Citizens of the following nationalities require a VISUM and CANNOT apply for an ETA:

Ägypten, Äquatorialguinea, Äthiopien, Afghanistan, Albanien, Algerien, Angola, Armenien, Aserbaidschan, Bahrain, Bangladesch, Bolivien, Bosnien und Herzegowina, Burkina Faso, Burundi, China, Dominikanische Republik, Elfenbeinküste, Ecuador, Eritrea, Gabun, Gambia, Georgien, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Vatikan, Indien, Indonesien, Irak, Iran, Jamaika

Jemen, Jordanien, Kambodscha, Kamerun, Kasachstan, Katar, Kenia, Kirgisistan, Kongo, Nordkorea, Kosovo, Kuba, Kuwait, Laos, Lesotho, Libanon, Liberia, Libyen, Madagaskar, Malediven, Mali, Marokko, Mauretanien, Mazedonien, Mongolei, Montenegro, Mosambik, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan,

Palästinensische Gebiete, Philippinen, Ruanda, Russland, Sambia, Saudi-Arabien, Senegal, Serbien, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka Sudan, Südafrika, Syrien, Taiwan, Tadschikistan, Tansania, Thailand, Togo, Tschad, Türkei, Tunesien, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Usbekistan, Vereinigte Arabische Emirate, Vietnam, Zentralafrikanische Republik, Zypern (Nord-), Weißrussland

Here you can find more information on other visa categories for Great Britain: Apply for a visa to enter Great Britain now!

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