By April 2025, everyone who needs to enter the UK (except British and Irish citizens) will need to secure advance permission to travel, either through obtaining an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or holding an eVisa.
An ETA is digitally linked to a passenger’s passport, it costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to 6 months at a time. It is valid for 2 years or until the person’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.
With an ETA, people can enter the UK for leisure/tourism, visiting family/friends or for business travel. They cannot stay in the UK for more than 6 months, live in the UK through frequent visits, or undertake any paid/unpaid work for a UK company.
Key Dates:
- From November 27, 2024, eligible non-Europeans can apply for an ETA and will need this in place to travel to the UK from January 8, 2025.
- From March 5, 2025, eligible Europeans can apply for an ETA and will need this in place to travel to the UK from April 2, 2025.
ETA application
The fastest way to apply for an ETA is through the ‘UK ETA’ App. Details of how to apply using the App can be found here.
You do not need an ETA if:
- you already have an eVisa
- you have permission to work/study/reside in the UK
- you are a British or Irish citizen
- you can prove you live in Ireland, and you are entering the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man
eVisas
People who do require a visa to live, work or study in the UK are now issued with an eVisa. This eVisa provides digital proof of their immigration status.
Many people may still hold a physical UK visa. If so, they will need to create an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account so they can access their eVisa online. More information is available here.
When travelling to and from the UK, eVisa holders should check the information on their UKVI account is up to date and linked to their current passport to avoid any issues or delays at the UK border.
Information on updating a UKVI account is available here.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.