UK ETA Application：A Step by Step Tutorial

The “UK ETA” is an Electronic Travel Authorization (Electronic Travel Authorisation) system introduced by the UK starting in 2024. After its implementation, foreign nationals who are visa-exempt and traveling to the UK for tourism, family visits, business, or even transit must first apply for an ETA. The “UK ETA” will be rolled out in three phases, with the first phase already implemented in September 2024. The second and third phases will be implemented on January 8, 2025, and April 2, 2025, respectively. Countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan are part of the second phase.

 

The “UK ETA” is an electronic document that allows citizens from visa-exempt countries or regions to enter the UK for short stays. It is not a UK visa and cannot replace a VISA. After the ETA system is implemented, citizens of countries that previously required a visa to enter the UK, or those who need a VISA for long-term stays (such as studying or working in the UK for more than 6 months), will still need to apply for a UK visa. Once the visa is obtained, there is no need to apply for an ETA.

 

Table of Contents

 

1. UK ETA Details

 

Below is a summary of some of the regulations related to the UK ETA, including implementation time, application requirements, fees, validity period, and more.

 

1.1 Who can and needs to apply for an ETA?

 

The UK ETA is an electronic permit that allows foreign nationals holding visa-exempt passports to enter the UK for short stays. Therefore, if you hold a passport that enjoys visa-free entry to the UK, such as an Australian passport, Canadian passport, US passport, Singaporean passport, Malaysian passport, etc., you will need to apply for an ETA in the following situations where your stay in the UK is less than 6 months:

1. Traveling to the UK;
2. Visiting family in the UK;
3. Business trips to the UK;
4. Studying, exchange programs, or short courses in the UK;
5. Engaging in permitted paid activities in the UK;
6. Holding a Creative Worker Visa and staying in the UK for less than 3 months;
7. Transiting through the UK.

 

If you hold a passport that enjoys visa-free entry to the UK but plan to stay in the UK for more than 6 months, you will still need to apply for the appropriate UK visa based on the reason for your stay. Once the visa is obtained, there is no need to apply for an ETA. The type of VISA required for different situations can be checked on this webpage.

 

If you hold a passport that does not enjoy visa-free entry to the UK, such as Thailand passport, regardless of the reason for entry or the length of stay, you will need to apply for the appropriate UK visa based on the reason for your stay. Once the visa is obtained, there is no need to apply for an ETA.

 

Additionally, holders of British passports, Irish passports, and British Overseas Territory passports (non-BNO) do not need to apply for an ETA.

 

1.2 When do you need to apply for an ETA?

 

The newly introduced ETA system will be rolled out in three phases. The first phase was implemented in September 2024, and countries that currently require an ETA include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

 

The second phase will be implemented on January 8, 2025, when passport holders from 49 countries, including Australia, Canada, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan, will need an ETA for visa-free entry to the UK. Applications can be submitted as early as November 27, 2024.

 

The final third phase will be implemented on April 2, 2025, when passport holders from all EU member states will also need to apply for a UK ETA. The list of countries and regions implementing the ETA in each phase can be found on this webpage.

 

1.3 How long is the ETA valid?

 

The ETA is valid for two years. However, if the passport’s validity is less than two years, the ETA will only be valid until the passport’s expiration date. During its validity period, the ETA allows for unlimited entries.

 

1.4 How much does the ETA application cost?

 

The fee for applying for an ETA is £10.

 

 

2. Applying for an ETA

 

The ETA is applied for on an individual basis and cannot be applied for as a family or group. Each person needs to apply for their own ETA, but someone else can apply on their behalf.

 

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation can be applied for through the following two methods:

1. Using the APP;
2. Using the UK Government Website GOV.UK.

 

Since the application process requires taking photos of the passport and the applicant, using the mobile app is more convenient, and the official recommendation is to use the app for the application. However, since the app requires facial recognition, if applying on behalf of someone else, the applicant must be present.

 

If you do not have a mobile phone or are applying on behalf of someone who is not present, you can also use the UK government website to apply. Below, we will explain the application process for both the app and the UK government website GOV.UK.

 

The ETA is an electronic permit and does not come in physical form. Once approved, the ETA will be linked to your passport, and the ETA information will automatically be displayed when your passport is read by UK immigration upon entry. Therefore, there is no need to separately present proof of application or approval for the ETA.

 

2.1 Using the UK ETA App?

 

UK ETA App download links:

• iOS Version
• Android Version

 

The application process using the app generally includes the following six steps:

1. Take a photo of the passport;
2. Read the passport data;
3. Perform facial recognition;
4. Take a photo of the applicant’s face;
5. Answer a few simple questions;
6. Make the payment.

 

(1) Verify Email Address

 

【1】After downloading and installing the mobile app, open the app, and it will display several prompts about the application steps. Click “Continue” to enter the application interface.

 

【2】Click “Start now” and “Agree and continue” to begin the application.

 

【3】Applying for an ETA requires a valid email address to receive the application result, so the first step is to fill in the email address and verify it. Enter a valid email address and click “Continue.” You will then receive a verification email containing a six-digit security code.

 

【4】Return to the app, enter the received security code, and click “Continue” to complete the verification. After verification, fill in a phone number. (Note: The system will recognize your region and automatically fill in the country code. If the country code is incorrect, you can modify it.)

 

(2) Enter Passport Information

 

【5】The system will ask if your passport has a biometric chip. If it does, select “Yes,” and the system can read the passport data from the chip, reducing the chance of errors. If not, select “No,” and the system will recognize the data from the passport photo, but you will need to manually verify the information.

 

【6】Take a photo of the passport’s data page, ensuring that all four corners of the page are included.

 

【7】If your passport has a biometric chip, place your phone on the passport, and the system will read the passport data from the chip. Once the data is successfully read, you will hear a beep. (Note: You usually need to remove the passport cover to read the data.)

 

If multiple attempts fail to read the data, you can skip this step and use photo recognition instead.

 

【8】Confirm that the passport data read by the system is correct.

 

(3) Take Photo

 

【9】Perform facial recognition for the applicant. (Note: Children aged 9 and under do not need to undergo facial recognition. If multiple attempts fail to complete facial recognition, you can skip this step.)

【10】Take a front-facing photo of the applicant. (Note: The photo should capture the head and shoulders, with a light-colored background, and no other people or objects should be visible.)

 

(4) Provide Required Details

 

【11】Answer a few questions about address, multiple nationalities, employment, criminal records, etc. (Note: If the applicant is a minor under 18 years old, contact details of parents or guardians must be provided.)

 

(5) Pay Fee

 

【12】After confirming all the information is correct, proceed to pay the application fee.

 

【13】The ETA application fee is £10, and the system will convert it to the local currency based on the applicant’s location. The fee can be paid using a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

 

After successful payment and submission of the application, you will receive a confirmation email. ETA applications are generally processed within 3 working days, and you will receive an email notification once the result is available.

 

For official instructions on using the APP to apply for ETA, please refer to this webpage.

 

 

2.2 Applying via the UK Government Website?

 

In addition to using the mobile APP, you can also submit your application via the ETA application webpage on the UK government website. When applying via the website, you need to upload electronic copies of your passport and a photo of the applicant, but facial recognition is not required, so you can submit an application on behalf of someone else even if they are not present. Although the website application does not allow for passport chip reading, the system can usually extract data from the passport photo, eliminating the need for manual input.

 

Before applying for an ETA via the UK government website, please take a photo of the passport data page and a front-facing color photo of the applicant, and save the electronic files on your computer (must be in jpg format) for easy access during the application. When taking the passport photo, ensure that the entire page, including all four corners, is captured. When taking the applicant’s front-facing photo, ensure that the head and shoulders are visible, with a light-colored background, and no other people or objects should be visible.

 

The application process via the UK government website generally includes the following five steps:

1. Upload passport photo;
2. Verify or correct passport details;
3. Upload applicant’s facial photo;
4. Answer a few simple questions;
5. Make payment.

 

(1) Verify Email Address

 

【1】On the ETA application webpage on the UK government website, click “Continue”.

 

【2】Enter a valid email address and click “Continue”. You will then receive a verification email containing a six-digit security code.

 

【3】Return to the application webpage, enter the received security code, and click “Continue” to verify.

 

(2) Enter Passport Information

 

【4】Select the passport photo from your computer and click “Continue” to upload the photo.

 

【5】The system will extract the passport details from the photo. You only need to verify the information once. If corrections are needed, click “Change” to modify. If the information is correct, click “Continue”.

 

(3) Take Photo

 

【6】If your computer has a camera, you can perform a facial scan instead of uploading a photo. If you don’t have a camera or prefer not to use it, click “skip this step” to proceed to uploading the applicant’s front-facing photo.

 

(4) Provide Required Details

 

【7】Enter your contact phone number and address. (Note: If the applicant is a minor under 18 years old, contact details of parents or guardians must be provided.)

 

【8】Answer whether you have multiple nationalities.

 

【9】Enter your employment details.

 

【10】Answer whether you have any criminal records.

 

【11】Answer whether you have ever been involved in war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, terrorism (including supporting terrorist organizations or being a member of a terrorist organization), supporting extremist groups, or expressing extremist views.

 

【12】Review the information you have entered above to ensure it is correct.

 

(5) Pay Fee

 

【13】Pay the £10 application fee. Before payment, the system will ask for your country or region and set the payment currency to the commonly used currency in your country.

 

After successful payment and submission of the application, you will receive a confirmation email. ETA applications are generally processed within 3 working days, and you will be notified via email once the result is available.

 

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