ETA UK - entry permit without visa
Background information on the electronic entry permit ETA UK
Travelers from countries that do not require a visa to enter the United Kingdom – including all EU countries – will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in addition to a valid passport starting in autumn 2023. This requirement is being introduced gradually. Since November 15, 2023, it applies to travelers from Qatar, and from February 22, 2024, it will extend to travelers from six additional Middle Eastern countries: Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. For travelers from EU countries, including Germany, the ETA requirement will take effect on April 2, 2025.
There are similar plans for entry into the EU. The introduction of an electronic entry permit (ETIAS) is planned for 2025. 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 United Kingdom?
If you are a Qatari citizen and wish to travel to the UK after November 15, 2023, you will need an ETA. Applications can be made since October 25th.
If you are a citizen of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates, you will need an ETA since February 22, 2024 if you wish to travel to the United Kingdom. Applications can be submitted since 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.
If you are a citizen of the following countries, you will require an ETA to travel to the United Kingdom starting from January 8, 2025. Applications can be submitted from November 27, 2024. Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region), Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao (Special Administrative Region), Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States), Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United States, Uruguay.
IMPORTANT FOR EU-NATIONALS: If you are a citizen of the following countries, you will need an ETA to travel to the United Kingdom starting from April 2, 2025. Applications can be submitted from March 5, 2025. Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czechia, Hungary, Vatican City, Cyprus.
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 info@visasunited.de.
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 = 69 Euros (Standard) or 89 Euros (Express).
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!