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UK ETA Online

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Disclaimer: The old UK Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) is now defunct. It has been replaced by the more efficient UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. All travelers previously eligible for the UK EVW are now eligible for the UK ETA.

UK ETA Information

 

The UK ETA visa waiver is an electronic travel authorization that permits eligible citizens to travel to the United Kingdom for purposes of tourism, visiting family or friends, business, transit, reeceiving medical treatment or to study.

The ETA is not a United Kingdom visa online, but a waiver. It is being implemented by the British government to improve security at UK borders and pre-screen visa-exempt travelers.

The UK electronic travel authorization  is now available for citizens of all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan as of February 22, 2024.

It is also expected that other nationalities who do not currently need a visa for the United Kingdom will also be required to apply for an ETA to visit the UK later in the future.

This will be confirmed on this website once announced by the British government.

ETA UK key features

An approved UK ETA visa online is a multiple entry travel authorization valid for 2 years from approval.

It allows the holder to enter the United Kingdom for a stay of up to 6 months at a time for the purposes listed above.

ETA online application

Eligible citizens are able to apply for a UK eVisa through the simple online UK ETA application.

This process is similar to the old UK EVW application, which has now been replaced with the ETA.

You have to complete the application form for an ETA for the United Kingdom with basic passport, travel, and personal information.

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 Icon
Highlights
Valid for 2 years and multiple entries
Allows stays of up to 6 months for tourism, business, studying, visiting friends and family, or to receive medical treatment
Permits transit through the UK
Allows a stay of up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
What do I need?
Add passport info

Biometric passport

Add passport image

Passport-style photo

email address

Valid email address

Credit/Debit Card

Method of payment (credit or debit card)

UK ETA Requirements

The ETA is now one of the UK immigration requirements for eligible nationalities.

In order to submit a UK ETA application, you first have to meet the online UK ETA requirements.

The passport requirements for a UK ETA state the applicant should have a valid biometric passport from a country eligible for the electronic travel authorization.

You must also provide a photo of your face and shoulders — the same type of photo used on passports.

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.

Once approved, the ETA is linked to your passport. It is a good idea to download or print a copy to present upon arrival to officials at British border control, alongside their passport, to gain entry to the country.

The ETA holder should 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.

The ETA requirements are more or less the same as the now-defunct UK EVW requirements. If you have applied for the EVW before, you will find the ETA experience similar, but even more efficient.

Country policy

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. It allows eligible citizens to travel to the United Kingdom for short stays for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, study purposes, medical treatment, or to transit through the country on the way to an onward destination.

  • Who is eligible for a UK ETA?

    The ETA is mandatory for nationals of:

    • Bahrain
    • Kuwait
    • Jordan
    • Oman
    • Saudi Arabia
    • United Arab Emirates

    Additional nationalities will be added to the eligibility list at some point in the future. These are expected to include citizens of EU countries and all other nationalities who can stay in the UK visa-free for short stays.

  • What is the validity period of the UK electronic travel authorization?

    The UK electronic travel authorization is valid for a total of 2 years from the date of approval, or until the associated passport expires.

  • How long can I stay in the United Kingdom with the travel authorization?

    An approved UK ETA allows you to stay for up to 6 months per entry to the United Kingdom, for purposes of:

    • Tourism
    • Visiting friends and family
    • Medical treatment
    • Business
    • To study

    It also permits the holder to transit through the UK and allows those with a Creative Worker visa concession to stay for up to 3 months at a time.

  • Is the eVisa for the UK valid for multiple entries?

    Yes, the ETA for the UK is valid for multiple entries.

  • How do I apply for an eVisa online for the UK?

    Eligible citizens are able to apply for an ETA 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 Travel Authorisation..

  • What do I need to submit an application for the UK Electronic Travel Authorization?

    In order to submit a UK ETA application online, it is necessary to have:

    • A valid biometric passport from an ETA-eligible country
    • A recent photo of your head and shoulders (passport-style)
    • A current email address at which to receive the approved UK eVisa
    • A credit or debit card to pay the online UK visa fee.
  • Do I need a UK ETA 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 separate application on behalf of each of their children, indicating this on the form.

  • How long will my UK ETA take to process?

    The standard UK ETA processing time is 1–3 days from the moment of submitting the application. In some cases, you may receive a quicker decision, or it may take longer to process if additional checks are required.

  • 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 ETA for the UK is denied?

    If the UK ETA online is denied, applicants are able to submit a new application online. It is essential for applicants to ensure that all the information provided is correct before submitting the ETA 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 ETA 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?

    It is advisable 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.

  • Is the ETA the same as the UK EVW?

    No, the ETA is a new platform that has replaced the old UK Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) system.

    The 2 travel permits work in similar ways and all nationalities that could use the EVW must now register for an ETA instead.

    The UK ETA is considered an upgrade from the old UK EVW visa waiver system. It features a more streamlined and user-friendly interface and is generally more efficient.

Disclaimer
Handyvisas.com is not owned by, or affiliated with any government agency. We are a private, online agency that provides assistance in submitting applications for tourist visits to different countries around the world. Applications can also be made directly through government websites.