Electronic Travel Authorisation guidance

The UK Government has now implemented the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for all non-European nationals who are travelling on or after 8 January 2025. EU nationals will be required to apply for an ETA from 5 March 2025 for travel on or after 2 April 2025.

What is the ETA?

The ETA has been introduced worldwide for visitors to the UK who?do not currently require a visa to enter the UK, or who?do not already have a UK immigration status (e.g., visa)?prior to travelling. Visitors can find out if and when they need an ETA to travel and can apply via:?https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-get-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta ? This means that anyone who wishes to travel to the UK for a short stay of up to six months will now have to apply for an ETA. This includes babies and children. ? ETAs are being phased in depending on the nationality of the traveller and the travel date. From April 2025, all travellers to the UK, except British and Irish citizens, will need permission to travel in advance through either an ETA or an eVisa, even if they are just transiting through the UK. ? Individuals who require a visa to visit the UK will continue to require a visa and therefore, should not apply for or obtain an ETA. Those who are exempt from immigration control will not require an ETA.? ?

Who has to apply, and when?

• Apply now, for travel from now onwards: nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE
• Apply now for travel on or after 8 January 2025: non-European nationals who have previously been able to travel to the UK as a visitor without applying for a visa in advance – such as USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Singapore nationals, etc
• Apply from 5 March 2025 for travel on or after 2 April 2025: EU, EEA and Swiss nationals

Who does not have to apply for an ETA to travel to the UK?

• Visa holders
• Individuals with permission to live, work or study in the UK (including?settled or pre-settled status?or?right of abode)
• British or Irish citizens
• Individuals travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport
• Individuals who live in Ireland and who are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man

How to apply and how long does it take?

Individuals are encouraged to download the “UK ETA” app to their phone, and use the app to apply.? If they cannot use the app, they can apply online here:?https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/how-to-apply ? They will need their passport, access to their emails and a credit/debit card or other payment method to pay the application fee. ? Copies/photographs of the passport and the individual’s photograph will need to be taken/uploaded. The UK Government has confirmed that a decision will usually be made within 3 working days, but it may take longer than this.? Once the application is granted, an email will be sent to the applicant and the ETA will be linked to the passport they applied with. ?

How much does it cost?

￡10. The charge is not refundable. ?

How long is it valid?

Multiple trips can be taken on the ETA, and it will be valid for either two years or up to the point that the individual’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. This means that a new ETA will be required when the individual renews their passport. ?

What can you do on an ETA?

Individuals can apply for an ETA instead of a visa if they are:

• coming to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study
• coming to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
• coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement
• transiting through the UK – including if they are not going through UK border control

If the individual is coming to the UK for another reason, they should check to see if they require a visa instead. ?

What can’t you do on an ETA?

Whilst in the UK on a visa, individuals cannot:

• stay in the UK for longer than 6 months
• do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless they are carrying out a permitted paid engagement or event or work on the Creative Worker visa concession
• claim public funds (benefits)
• live in the UK through frequent or successive visits
• marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership.

If you would like to discuss how these changes might affect your employees contact mpm legal today.

Article by Victoria Burnip , mpm legal solutions Limited