Help

Find more info about how to answer each question below:

Select your nationality from the dropdown list. This information is used to determine the visa requirements and applicable fees.

Select the type of visa you're applying for. The various types include different durations and entry types. Make sure to choose the one that matches your travel plans.

Please select the date you will be arriving at your destination. This date will help us determine the validity period of your visa.

Enter your first name and middle name exactly as they appear in your passport, using letters A-Z.

Enter your last name exactly as it appears in your passport, using letters A-Z. If you don't have a last name, enter "N/A."

Select your date of birth from the dropdown menus. Make sure this matches the date of birth listed in your passport.

Enter your email address. We'll use this to send you updates about your application. You won't be enrolled in any promotional messages unless you click the checkbox below.

Select the nationality as it appears on your passport. This must match the nationality on the passport you're using for this application.

Check this box if you want to skip entering your passport information at this moment. You'll need to provide this information later to complete your application.

Stay up to date on new UK ETA services, exclusive offers, and helpful travel information.You'll have full control to unsubscribe anytime.
Eligibility Check

Verify Your UK ETA Eligibility

Determine whether you need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation based on your nationality, travel purpose, and passport status before planning your trip.

Who Needs a UK ETA?

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a mandatory digital pre-travel permission for nationals of specific countries who wish to visit the United Kingdom. The ETA programme was introduced as part of the UK Government's Universal Permission to Travel framework, which aims to ensure that all non-British and non-Irish nationals have some form of authorisation before entering the country.

The scheme is being implemented in phases. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals were among the first groups required to obtain an ETA, and the programme has since expanded to include nationals from a wider range of countries. If you hold a passport from one of the eligible countries listed below, you must obtain an approved ETA before travelling to the UK, regardless of whether your visit is for tourism, business, transit, or other permissible short-stay purposes.

It is important to note that the ETA is not a visa. It is a pre-travel authorisation that grants permission to travel to the UK for short stays. If you intend to work, study, or settle in the UK on a long-term basis, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa through the UK's immigration system. The ETA is designed specifically for short-term visitors and transit passengers.

Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

Nationals of the following GCC countries were among the first to be brought into the UK ETA scheme. If you hold a passport from any of these countries, you are required to have an approved ETA before travelling to the United Kingdom:

Qatar
Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates

Expanded ETA Countries

The UK ETA programme has expanded to include nationals from additional countries. The following nationalities are now required to obtain an ETA before travelling to the United Kingdom. This list is regularly updated as the programme continues to roll out:

Andorra
Brazil
Brunei
Chile
Costa Rica
Guatemala
Israel
Japan
Malaysia
Maldives
Mauritius
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Singapore
South Korea
Taiwan
Thailand
Uruguay
Australia
Canada
France
Germany
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
United Kingdom
United States
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Botswana
Seychelles
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Vatican City
Hong Kong
Macau
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Who Does Not Need a UK ETA?

Not everyone travelling to the UK needs an ETA. The following groups are exempt from the requirement and do not need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation:

British citizens and Irish citizens — you have the right to enter and reside in the UK without any additional travel authorisation.
Holders of a valid UK visa — if you already hold a work visa, student visa, family visa, or any other valid UK visa, you do not need a separate ETA.
Individuals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme — your status already grants you permission to live and work in the UK.
Holders of a UK Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) — some nationalities are covered by the EVW scheme instead of the ETA.
Diplomatic passport holders — certain diplomatic passport holders may be exempt depending on bilateral agreements.
Transit passengers who remain airside — if you are transiting through a UK airport and do not pass through border control, you may not need an ETA. However, rules vary by nationality, so check before travelling.

Purpose of Travel

The UK ETA covers a range of short-term travel purposes. Understanding which activities are permitted under an ETA is important to ensure you apply for the correct authorisation. The ETA allows you to travel to the UK for the following purposes:

Tourism & Sightseeing

Visiting the UK for holidays, sightseeing, attending cultural events, or exploring the country as a tourist.

Family & Friends

Visiting family members or friends who are resident in the United Kingdom for a short-term stay.

Business Meetings

Attending business meetings, conferences, seminars, or professional networking events. Note that the ETA does not permit paid employment.

Transit

Passing through the United Kingdom en route to another destination, provided you pass through UK border control.

Cultural & Sporting Events

Attending concerts, sporting events, exhibitions, or other cultural activities as a spectator or participant (not for paid performance).

Private Medical Treatment

Travelling to the UK to receive private medical treatment at your own expense. NHS treatment requires separate arrangements.

Activities NOT Permitted with an ETA

The UK ETA is strictly for short-term visits. The following activities are not permitted under an ETA, and attempting them may result in refusal of entry or legal consequences:

  • Paid or unpaid employment — you cannot take up any form of work in the UK on an ETA.
  • Studying at a UK educational institution — any course lasting longer than 30 days requires a student visa.
  • Settling in the UK or establishing residency — the ETA does not grant the right to live permanently in the UK.
  • Accessing public funds or benefits — ETA holders are not entitled to UK welfare benefits or public housing.
  • Starting a business or self-employment — establishing or running a business in the UK requires the appropriate business visa.

    • Passport Requirements for ETA Eligibility

    To be eligible for a UK ETA, you must hold a valid passport from one of the eligible countries. Your passport must meet the following requirements at the time of application and travel:

    Your passport must have at least six months of remaining validity from your intended date of arrival in the UK.
    The passport must be undamaged and in good condition with all information clearly legible.
    The passport must contain at least one blank page for entry stamps (if applicable).
    The name on your ETA application must exactly match the name in your passport.
    If you obtain a new passport after your ETA is issued, you will need to apply for a new ETA linked to your new passport.

    Children and Minors

    Children and minors from eligible countries also require their own ETA to travel to the UK. Each child must have their own valid passport, and a separate ETA application must be submitted for each child. Parents or legal guardians can submit applications on behalf of minors. The same eligibility criteria and passport requirements apply to children as to adult applicants.

    If you are travelling with children, we recommend submitting all applications at the same time to ensure they are processed together. Our application form allows you to add multiple travellers to a single submission for convenience.

    Dual Nationals

    If you hold dual nationality, your ETA requirement depends on which passport you intend to use when travelling to the UK. If one of your passports is from a country that does not require an ETA (for example, a British, Irish, or EU passport), you can use that passport to enter the UK without an ETA. If both of your passports are from countries that require an ETA, you will need to apply using the passport you plan to travel with.

    It is important to remember that your ETA is linked to a specific passport. If you apply using one passport but travel with a different one, your ETA will not be valid. Always ensure you use the same passport for both the application and your travel.

    We are a private third-party service providing assistance with UK ETA applications. We are not affiliated with the UK Government or GOV.UK.