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New UK immigration updates: Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Three international students walking across Waterloo Bridge together.

There are some upcoming changes to UK immigration that might affect you if:

  1. you don’t already have a visa and
  2. you’re not required to apply for a visa before travelling to the UK.

If you’re a non-visa national and you’re planning to enter the UK as a visitor, it’s likely that you’ll need to get an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) in advance of travelling to the UK.
This is already in place for most non-visa nationals, but it will apply to all non-visa nationals (including EU) by Wednesday 2 April 2025.

 

What’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?

An ETA is a form of 'pre-screening' that gives you permission to travel.

Is an ETA the same as a visa?

This is not a visa - you'd still need to be permitted entry as a Visitor on arrival to the UK, and you'd still be subject to the conditions of a Visitor visa.
If you’ve got a valid visa already, do not apply for an ETA as this is may unintentionally cancel your visa. An ETA is only needed if you’re not required to apply for a visa before travelling.

Where can I learn more about ETA?

You can read more about ETA and whether to apply for one in our article Travelling to the UK as a Visitor.