This article is reviewed regularly by Wego‘s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Reviewed February 2023

The UK government recently announced that the United Kingdom will soon require inbound international travellers to obtain a UK entry permit document called the ETA UK for entry into the country. The ETA UK, or the Electronic Travel Authorization, is mainly being introduced with the intention of improving UK border control measures and optimising its entry and exit processes as part of a wider “permission to travel” policy.

Keep reading to find out more about the UK’s travel permit document, namely, the ETA UK

ETA UK 2023 news

As announced by the authorities, in line with its objective of fully digitizing border systems by 2025, the United Kingdom will soon require inbound international travellers to obtain a UK entry permit document called the ETA UK (Electronic Travel Authorisation UK) for entry into the country.

The ETA UK approval will be mandatory for all international arrivals looking to enter or transit the UK, including those who are nationals of visa-free countries, as well as the United States.

The UK government further confirmed in an announcement, “The ETA is not a visa. Europeans and travellers from countries including the US and Canada will maintain their visa-free status but will need an ETA to cross the UK border.” The requirement will apply to all types of visitors, including “those travelling to the UK for tourism, business, short-term education and medical reasons”.

Moreover, as reported by the British Home Office, the ETA system will be introduced in early 2023, becoming fully operational by the end of the year.

ETA UK 2023

The ETA UK or the Electronic Travel Authorization is a UK travel permit or entry permit document that has to be mandatorily obtained by all inbound international travellers looking to enter or transit the UK, including those who are nationals of visa-free countries, as well as the United States.

Mainly introduced with the intention to improve UK border control measures and optimize its entry and exit processes as part of a wider “permission to travel” policy, the ETA system is reported to be introduced in early 2023, becoming fully operational by the end of the year.

Although the applications for the ETA UK have not opened yet, the UK travel permit will likely be valid for at least two years and will allow travellers multiple trips to the UK.

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ETA UK requirements

The applicants will need to provide the following documents to apply for the ETA UK:

  • valid passport data
  • personal information
  • travel plan details
  • a debit or credit card to pay the required fee

Please note that we will update the details as and when they are released by the officials.

ETA UK validity

Although nothing has been confirmed yet by the authorities, the validity of the UK travel permit document will likely be for two, allowing multiple trips for the applicants to the UK.

How to apply for the ETA UK?

The UK entry permit document can be easily applied for from the convenience of the traveller’s home without having to visit a UK Embassy. Moreover, the application process will only take a few minutes to be completed.

Once the form has been submitted for approval, your application will be processed, and you will receive a response to your ETA application within 48 – 72 hours. You will either receive an interview date at your embassy or obtain the ETA via email.

Please note that the ETA application has not opened yet. We will update the information as and when they are released by the officials.

ETA UK fee

As of now, there has been no information regarding the cost of the UK travel permit. However, we will update the price as and when released by the officials.

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