A passport is the key to traveling abroad. However, some passports are considered to be “stronger” than others. The world’s most powerful passports are those that offer the greatest travel freedom. The strongest passports are those that allow the holder to enter the most countries easily, without extra entry requirements, such as visas. There are
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UK ETA Online
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The UK ETA visa waiver is an electronic travel authorization that permits eligible citizens to travel to the United Kingdom for purposes of tourism, business, medical treatment, or to study.
The United Kingdom visa online waiver was first implemented in 2014 by the British government in order to expedite the process of obtaining travel authorization for the UK and eliminate the need to apply in person at an embassy or consulate.
The UK electronic travel authorization is currently available to citizens of 4 Middle Eastern countries.
However, from 2021, it is expected that European Union citizens, who do not currently need a visa for the United Kingdom, will also be required to apply for an ETA to visit the UK, once EU freedom of movement ends as a result of Brexit.
This will be confirmed on this website once announced by the British government.
An approved UK ETA visa online is a single entry travel authorization that allows the holder to enter the United Kingdom for a stay of up to 6 months in the country.
Eligible citizens are able to apply for a UK eVisa through the simple online UK visa application. It is necessary to complete the application form for a visa for the United Kingdom with basic passport, travel, and personal information, which only takes a few minutes to fill in.
Applicants must also answer a few security questions to submit the online form and receive an approved ETA for the UK sent by email.
Those who wish to visit the United Kingdom for purposes other than those permitted with the UK tourist eVisa, or for longer periods of stay, should contact the nearest consulate or embassy of the UK for further information.
Highlights
Valid for a single entry
Permits visits for tourism, business, studying, or medical treatment
Allows stays of up to 6 months
What is Necessary?
Biometric passport
Valid email address
Method of payment (credit or debit card)
Travel details, e.g. dates of arrival and departure, address of accommodation, etc.
UK ETA Requirements
In order to submit a UK ETA application, it is first necessary for applicants to meet the online UK visa requirements.
The passport requirements for a UK eVisa state the applicant should have a valid biometric passport from a country eligible for the electronic travel authorization.
UK ETA visa requirements also state that it is necessary for the applicant to have a valid debit or credit card to pay the mandatory visa fee.
Applicants are also required to supply a current email address at which to receive the approved ETA for the UK.
The only other documents required for a UK tourist visa online is proof of the address where the applicant will stay in the UK.
UK visa application requirements state it is also necessary to indicate intended travel dates and the port of entry to the United Kingdom when completing the online form.
If this information changes prior to the departure for the UK, it will be necessary to update the details of the ETA online to guarantee entry to the United Kingdom upon arrival.
Once approved, it is necessary to print a copy of the UK electronic travel authorization to present upon arrival to officials at British border control, alongside their passport, to gain entry to the country.
The eVisa ETA holder should take care to use the same passport to travel to the United Kingdom that they used to complete the UK ETA application online, as the details of the passport must match those on the approved ETA.
Further UK immigration requirements for the electronic authorization may be announced after the ETA is expanded to other nationalities. These will be published on this site once made available by the British government.
Covid Update for United Kingdom
Last update: 26/01/2023
To enter or transit through the UK, passengers arriving from or have passed through China must have a negative test result taken within 2 days before traveling. Children under 12 are exempt. All other COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. Citizens of certain GCC countries must apply for a UK EVW. Find out the travel requirements that you must meet to visit the country by checking the visa policy of United Kingdom.
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United Kingdom Visa Policy
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▾FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
United Kingdom Visa FAQ
What is the UK ETA?
The UK ETA visa waiver is an electronic travel authorization allows eligible citizens to travel to the United Kingdom for a short stay for tourism, business, medical treatment, study purposes, or to transit through the country on the way to an onward destination.
Who is eligible for a UK ETA?
At the moment, there are 4 nationalities who are eligible to apply for a UK EVW (electronic visa waiver ):
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE).
However, when EU freedom of movement to the UK ends in 2021, it is expected that citizens of EU countries will be required to apply for a UK ETA visa waiver to travel to the United Kingdom.
What is the validity period of the UK electronic travel authorization?
The UK electronic travel authorization is valid for a stay of 6 months in the United Kingdom. The period of validity starts from the date of arrival in the UK.
How long can I stay in the United Kingdom with the travel authorization?
At the moment, the EVW UK electronic visa waiver permits the holder to spend up to 6 months in the United Kingdom.
It has not yet been announced if this period of allowed stay will change once the ETA becomes available. This information will be published on this site once announced by the British government.
Is the eVisa for the UK valid for multiple entries?
At the moment, the electronic visa waiver for the UK is issued as a single entry travel authorization and allows a single stay in the United Kingdom during its validity.
How do I apply for an eVisa online for the UK?
Eligible citizens are able to apply for an eVisa waiver for the UK through a simple online application which only takes a few minutes to complete. Applicants are required to fill in basic personal, passport, and travel information, and answer a few security questions, to submit the form and receive an approved UK electronic visa waiver.
What do I need to submit an application for the UK Electronic Visa Waiver?
In order to submit a UK visa application online, it is necessary to have:
- A valid biometric passport from an ETA-eligible country
- A current email address at which to receive the approved UK eVisa
- A credit or debit card to pay the online UK visa fee.
Applicants are also required to provide the address where they will stay in the UK, as well as their intended travel dates to the United Kingdom, on the online form.
How much does the UK online visa cost?
The government fee for the UK electronic visa waiver is £30. The online UK visa waiver fees are the same for all eligible nationalities.
Do I need a UK eVisa for all my children? Should I include them on my application?
All citizens from UK ETA-required countries need to have an individually approved travel authorization to travel to the United Kingdom. Parents and legal guardians are able to submit a seperate application on behalf of each of their children, indicating this on the form.
How long will my UK eVisa take to process?
The standard UK visa processing time is around 24 hours from the moment of submitting the application. Eligible citizens are able to apply for the UK Electronic Travel Authorization any time between 3 months to 48 hours before the intended arrival date in the UK.
Do I need to get an ETA if I am just in transit in the UK?
Yes, all citizens eligible for the UK ETA will be required to obtain a UK transit visa waiver through the online form if transiting through the United Kingdom on the way to a third destination.
What do I do if my eVisa for UK is denied?
If the UK visa online is denied, applicants are able to submit a new UK visa waiver application online. It is essential for applicants to ensure that all the information provided is correct before submitting the eVisa application.
This is because even small mistakes may result in a denial of the UK ETA electronic visa waiver travel authorization, or a delay in processing the online form.
How can I check my UK eVisa status?
It is possible to check the UK ETA visa application status through the updates and notifications sent to the current email address provided by the applicant on the online form.
Do I need to print a copy of the electronic travel authorization for the UK?
Yes, applicants are required to print a copy of the approved ETA for the United Kingdom to present to an immigration official alongside their passport upon arrival at UK border control, or show border officers a digital copy on an electronic device.
Under what circumstances would I need to re-apply for an eVisa for the UK?
Applicants are required to apply for a new online visa for the UK if the passport they used to complete the application expires.
Applicants are also required to modify the travel details of their ETA online if they:
- Decide to travel at a different time
- Will arrive in the UK more than 8 hours later than planned
- Leave from or arrive at a different airport, port or train station than originally indicated.
These details can easily be modified on the UK government website by providing the ETA issue number and the applicant’s date of birth
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