Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to the UK: everything you need to know

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a mandatory document required for citizens of visa-free countries to enter the UK. It was introduced to simplify the border control process and improve security. An ETA allows you to stay in the country for up to 6 months for the purposes of tourism, visiting family, attending business meetings or studying.

The introduction of the ETA system provides convenience and transparency for travellers by allowing you to apply for the permit online in a few steps. If you are planning a trip to the UK, applying for an ETA will be an important part of your preparation.

This permit is required for citizens of visa-free countries from 2024 onwards and entitles you to short-term stay in the country. An ETA is valid for two years and will allow multiple entries.

An ETA is an electronic document that is logged into the UK border control system. Once authorised, it is automatically linked to your passport. When you cross the border, an officer will check your passport to confirm that you have an ETA.

The basic terms and conditions of an ETA are:

• The permit is valid for entry for up to 180 days per visit.
• Used for tourism, business, study or transit.
• Does not authorise work or long-term residence.
• The document remains valid for all journeys for 2 years or until the expiry of the passport.

ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) offers many benefits. The process is completely online and can be accessed from anywhere in the world. ETA allows you to make an unlimited number of trips to the UK during the validity period of the document. The authorisation is suitable for tourism, family visits, business meetings, short-term study and transit. The electronic system reduces the risk of errors and simplifies the document verification process.

At the moment almost 90 countries have visa-free travel with the UK. Citizens of the following countries and regions need to obtain an ETA to travel to the UK, regardless of whether they are travelling by land, air or sea.

1. Irish nationals are entitled to free entry to the UK thanks to the Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement.
2. If you have valid permission to live, work or study in the UK, you do not need to apply for an ETA or visa.
3. People with a passport issued in UK Overseas Territories (e.g. Gibraltar, Bermuda, Cayman Islands) are exempt from applying for an ETA.
4. Holders of permanent or temporary resident status under the EU Settlement Scheme are entitled to enter without a visa or ETA.
5. If you are travelling through the UK in transit and you meet the conditions for visa-free transit, you do not need a visa or ETA.

There are several steps to obtain an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) for travelling to the UK.

Steps to obtain an ETA:

1. Determine if an ETA is right for you based on your purpose of travel (tourism, business, transit). Use our online service to apply.
2. Provide personal information, passport number and purpose of travel.
3. Upload the required documents, including your passport and proof of payment of fees. ETA decision is usually made within a few working days.
4. You will receive a confirmation to the email address provided.

The ETA is processed entirely online, making the process fast and convenient.

If you contact our visa agency Visa-Navigator.com, you will receive comprehensive support in applying for an ETA for travelling to the UK. Our specialists will provide professional assistance at all stages of the process:

• Consultation on requirements: we will answer all your questions, clarify details about the required documents and check your application for compliance with the requirements.
• Document preparation: our experts will help you to collect, translate and properlyprepare all the necessary documents to avoid mistakes.
• Convenient application: we take care of the entire application process so you can focus on preparing for your trip.
• Shortened timelines: thanks to our experience, the ETA application process will be quick and hassle-free.
• Guarantee of Correctness: We will verify all data to eliminate the risk of rejection due to errors or mistakes.

With Visa-Navigator.com, the ETA process will be simple, fast and convenient, and your journey to the UK will be comfortable and unforgettable!