UK ETA Eligibility: Who Needs Electronic Travel Authorisation?
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation requirement applies to citizens of 85+ countries who wish to visit the United Kingdom without a visa. Understanding whether you need an ETA is the essential first step in planning your UK travel. This comprehensive eligibility guide covers all nationalities affected by the ETA requirement, exemptions that may apply to your situation, and special circumstances that influence your travel authorization needs.
Quick Check: If you could previously visit the UK without a visa and are not British or Irish, you almost certainly need an ETA starting from 2025.
Countries Requiring UK ETA
The ETA requirement was rolled out in phases. Since January 8, 2025, non-European visa-exempt nationals have needed an ETA. Since April 2, 2025, European nationals also require authorization. Below is the complete list of nationalities that must obtain an ETA before traveling to the UK.
European Countries (ETA Required from April 2, 2025)
Citizens of all European Union member states (except Ireland), European Economic Area countries, Switzerland, and European microstates now require a UK ETA. This represents a significant change from pre-Brexit travel arrangements when EU citizens could visit freely.
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| EU Member States | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden |
| EEA Countries | Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway |
| Other European | Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City |
Americas (ETA Required from January 8, 2025)
Citizens from North America, Central America, South America, and Caribbean nations that previously had visa-free access to the UK must now obtain an ETA. American citizens represent the largest nationality group applying for UK ETAs.
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| North America | United States, Canada, Mexico |
| Central America | Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama |
| South America | Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay |
| Caribbean | Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago |
Asia-Pacific (ETA Required from January 8, 2025)
Major travel markets across Asia and the Pacific region now require UK ETAs. This includes key tourism source countries and business travel corridors.
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| East Asia | Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong (SAR), Macao (SAR), Taiwan* |
| Southeast Asia | Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore |
| Oceania | Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau |
| South Asia | Maldives |
| Other | Israel, Mauritius, Seychelles |
*Taiwan: Only passport holders whose Taiwan passport includes their Taiwan-issued identification card number are eligible for ETA. Other Taiwan passport holders require a visa.
Middle East (GCC Countries - ETA Required from 2023/2024)
Gulf Cooperation Council nationals were the first group to require UK ETAs, replacing the previous Electronic Visa Waiver system.
| Country | ETA Requirement Date |
|---|---|
| Qatar | November 15, 2023 |
| Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates | February 22, 2024 |
Who Does NOT Need a UK ETA
Several categories of travelers are exempt from the ETA requirement. Understanding these exemptions is important to avoid unnecessary applications and fees.
British and Irish Citizens
Exempt: British citizens and Irish citizens never need an ETA to travel to or enter the United Kingdom under any circumstances.
British citizens include those from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey). If you are a dual national with British citizenship, you should travel on your British passport to avoid the ETA requirement. Irish citizens are exempt under the Common Travel Area agreement between the UK and Ireland, which predates EU membership and continues post-Brexit.
Holders of UK Immigration Permission
You do not need an ETA if you already have permission to be in the UK through one of the following:
- Valid UK Visa: Any type of entry clearance visa (visitor, work, study, family, etc.)
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Permanent residence status in the UK
- Settled Status: EU Settlement Scheme settled status
- Pre-Settled Status: EU Settlement Scheme pre-settled status
- British National (Overseas): BN(O) passport holders
- British Overseas Territories Citizens: BOTC passport holders
Ireland Residents Traveling from the Common Travel Area
If you are legally resident in Ireland (regardless of your nationality) and are traveling to the UK from within the Common Travel Area (Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or Isle of Man), you do not need an ETA. This exemption only applies when your journey originates within the CTA. If you are an Ireland resident traveling to the UK from outside the CTA (for example, flying from Spain), you will need an ETA.
Other Exemptions
- Diplomats and government officials: Those exempt from UK immigration control
- Military personnel: Members of visiting armed forces on official duty
- Airline and ship crew: Working crew members in the course of their duties
- French school groups: Children traveling on organized France-UK school trips (special arrangement with documentation)
- Airside transit: Passengers transiting through Heathrow or Manchester airports who do not pass through UK passport control (temporarily exempt)
Special Circumstances and Considerations
Dual Citizens
If you hold citizenship in multiple countries, your ETA requirement depends on which passport you use to travel. Dual nationals who hold British or Irish citizenship should travel on those passports to avoid needing an ETA. If traveling on another passport from an ETA-required country, you must obtain authorization for that passport. The UK government strongly advises dual British citizens to ensure they have a valid British passport for travel to avoid complications from February 25, 2026, when enforcement becomes strict.
Children and Infants
Every traveler, regardless of age, requires their own ETA linked to their own passport. This includes babies and young children. Parents or guardians can apply on behalf of minor children through the online application portal, though the UK ETA app requires the applicant to be physically present for biometric capture. Each child requires separate fee payment of £16.
Transit Passengers
Whether you need an ETA for transit depends on your specific routing:
- Airside transit (no passport control): Currently exempt at Heathrow and Manchester airports only
- Landside transit (passing through passport control): ETA required
- Connecting flights at other UK airports: ETA required
- Staying overnight or leaving the airport: ETA required
The airside transit exemption is temporary and may be revised. Check current requirements before booking transit itineraries.
Visa Nationals
The ETA system only applies to visa-exempt nationalities. If your country requires a visa to visit the UK, you cannot apply for an ETA and must continue to apply for the appropriate visa type. Citizens of countries such as China, India, Russia, South Africa, Nigeria, and most other nations not listed above require visas and are not affected by the ETA system. Check the UK government's visa national list if unsure of your country's classification.
ETA Eligibility Quick Reference
| Your Situation | ETA Required? |
|---|---|
| British or Irish citizen | NO |
| Have valid UK visa | NO |
| EU Settlement Scheme status | NO |
| Ireland resident traveling from CTA | NO |
| US, Canadian, Australian citizen | YES |
| EU/EEA/Swiss citizen | YES |
| Japan, South Korea, Singapore citizen | YES |
| GCC country citizen | YES |
| Visa-national country citizen | VISA REQUIRED |
Next Steps
If you have determined that you need a UK ETA, the next step is to apply through official channels. Applications are accepted through the UK ETA mobile app or the GOV.UK website. Most applicants receive approval within minutes, though you should allow up to three working days for manual reviews.