How long will it take to get an ETA?
Travelers are advised to apply for an ETA at least a few days before their journey. Approval should be granted within a few hours of applying but can take up to 72 hours to process.
How long will an ETA last?
After your ETA has been approved, visitors will be granted permission to stay in the UK for up to six months, whether for business or tourism reasons.
The ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires (whichever comes first)—meaning there’s no need to apply for a new one every time you visit within the valid time period.
How much will an ETA cost?
The UK ETA will cost 10 pounds (approximately $13). The EU is launching a similar system in 2025, which will cost 7 euro (about $8). A US ESTA, meanwhile, costs $21.
Who will need to apply for an ETA?
The UK’s new ETA requirements are rolling out in phases, based on nationality. Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries—which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—are already required to obtain an ETA prior to travel to the UK. Over 600,000 ETAs have been granted within the past year, according to the latest immigration statistics.
Eligible non-Europeans (including US, Canadian, and Australian citizens) are required to get ETAs starting on January 8, 2025. Meanwhile, Europeans will need an ETA to travel to the UK starting on April 2, 2025, when the rules go fully into effect.
What will I need to apply for an ETA?
You’ll need to provide a valid passport, a recent digital headshot that follows the UK’s passport photo requirements, an email address, details of your travel plans, as well as a valid debit or credit card to pay the application fees.
To keep up to date with the latest information on the UK ETA, check the official website for more details as they become available.
A version of this article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller UK
