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Electronic Travel Authorisation

United KingdomShort stays and visits

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Explore pathways in United Kingdom Read the five questions ↓

For the relevant traveller scope, is a visa, electronic authorisation, visa on arrival or no advance visa normally required?

Most visitors need an ETA or a visa depending on nationality and purpose; an ETA rather than a visa is usually needed by people from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries. British or Irish citizens, UK visa holders and people with permission to live, work or study in the UK do not need one.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No full nationality matrix is given on this page.
  • https://www.gov.uk/eta/print
    Most visitors need an ETA or a visa. What you need depends on: your nationality why you’re coming to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man You usually need an ETA rather than a visa if you’re from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries.
  • https://www.gov.uk/eta/print
    You do not need an ETA to travel to the UK if: you’re a British or Irish citizen you have a UK visa you have permission to live, work or study in the UK

What short-visit purposes does this route cover?

Tourism, visiting family and friends, business trips or short-term study (up to 6 months); up to 3 months under the Creative Worker visa concession; permitted paid engagements; and transit through a UK airport passing through border control.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.gov.uk/eta/print
    What you can do with an ETA You can: come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, on a business trip or for short-term study come to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession come to the UK for a permitted paid engagement transit through a UK airport if you’ll pass through border control - check with your airline if you are not sure

What maximum stay, rolling-period rule, validity and entry rules apply?

Stays of up to 6 months per visit; the ETA lasts 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner, and allows unlimited trips, but not living in the UK through frequent or successive visits. It does not guarantee entry.

See recorded sources

What important funds, accommodation, invitation, insurance, onward-travel or passport evidence may be required?

The ETA is linked to the passport used to apply, and only that passport needs to be shown when travelling; holding an ETA does not guarantee entry. The official guide does not mention funds, accommodation, invitation or onward-travel evidence.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The guide does not mention funds, accommodation, invitation or onward-travel evidence.

Where/how is permission obtained when required, and under what important circumstances can a stay be extended or changed?

The ETA is applied for online or via the UK ETA app for £20 (no refund) with the travel passport, an email address, a payment method and a face photo; a decision usually arrives by email within a day but can take up to 3 working days, and travel must wait for confirmation. If it is rejected or details change, a new application is needed. The official source does not state extension or change-of-status rules.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No extension or change-of-status rules are stated.
  • https://www.gov.uk/eta/print
    It costs £20 to apply online or through the UK ETA app. You cannot get a refund after you apply. You cannot get a faster decision by applying through another website or app. You’ll need: the passport you’ll travel with an email address a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay When you apply, you’ll need to upload or take photos of the face of the person applying.
  • https://www.gov.uk/eta/print
    You’ll usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days. The email will contain your 16 digit ETA reference number. You must wait until you get an email confirming you have an ETA before you travel to the UK.
  • https://www.gov.uk/eta/print
    If your application is rejected or you need to change the details in your application, you’ll need to apply again.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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