Businesses who have visitors or staff visiting their sites in the UK, from outside the UK, should note that since 2 April 2025, nationals of EU member states (other than Ireland), the European Economic Area and Switzerland must have advance travel permission before travelling to the UK if they do not already hold UK immigration permission. They will need to apply for permission for entry to the UK in advance via the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme application process. While it is the individual’s responsibility to apply for this, hosts may wish to remind their visitors of this UK entry requirement.
Non-Europeans already needed the permit prior to this change, but a large majority of visitors to the UK are from the EU and may not be aware of this new requirement; although they will be reminded of this requirement prior to booking travel (such as by the airline they are travelling with).
The ETA is a digital permission required for certain non-visa nationals traveling to the UK. It is not a visa and does not permit entry into the UK; rather, it authorises a person to travel to the UK.
Holders of an ETA are permitted to:
- Come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business, or short-term study.
- Come to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession (for example, for professional artists, entertainers, musicians, sports professionals; or those speaking at a conference).
- Come to the UK for a permitted paid engagement.
- Transit through a UK airport if they pass through border control.
Visitors with an ETA authorisation will not be able to undertake paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless they are doing a permitted paid engagement or event, or work on the Creative Worker visa concession.
ETA applications are submitted online or via the "UK ETA" app (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store); with decisions expected within three working days unless further checks are required. Each applicant (including children) will need their own ETA. The fee is £16 each. ETAs are valid for two years and permit multiple journeys to the UK.
An ETA is not required for individuals who would normally need an ETA but who are legally resident in Ireland and travelling to the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.
The equivalent Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) for visitors to the EU (including UK citizens) who do not hold EU member state immigration permission, is expected to come into operation in October 2025 following delays to this.