A modern electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme for visitors to the United Kingdom came into effect on Wednesday, February 25th, impacting citizens of numerous countries including the United States and Australia. The UK government asserts the system will streamline the immigration process, but its implementation has created significant difficulties for dual nationals seeking to travel to the country.
The ETA functions as a digital permission to enter the UK, granting visitors up to six months for tourism, business, or short-term study. Approved ETAs are valid for two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, allowing for multiple entries. Transit passengers passing through UK airports without accessing border control are exempt from the requirement. Longer stays for work or study still necessitate a standard visa, and individuals already requiring a visa to enter the UK remain unaffected by the ETA scheme.
The scheme was initially launched in October 2023, but the government opted for a period of non-enforcement, stating it wanted to allow visitors time to adjust to the new regulations. Though, the Home Office announced in November that ETAs would turn into mandatory from February 25th. The government maintains that the ETAs will result in a “smoother, faster and more secure” immigration system.
Currently, applying for an ETA costs £16, though the government has indicated plans to increase the fee to £20 in the future. Applicants are advised to download the official app from the Google Play or Apple App Store and provide contact and passport details, a digital photograph, and responses to a series of questions. Travelers must use the same passport for their journey as the one used during the ETA application. Even as most applications are processed automatically within minutes, the government recommends applying at least three working days prior to travel. Rejected applications do not have a formal appeal process; applicants must instead apply for a visa.
Airlines, rail companies, and shipping operators have been equipped with tools by the UK government to verify travel permissions through automated digital checks with the Home Office. The ETA is digitally linked to the applicant’s passport, eliminating the need for a paper copy at the border, although the government suggests retaining a copy for personal records. Crucially, an approved ETA does not guarantee entry; travelers remain subject to passport control and can be denied entry if other issues arise.
The most significant disruption has been experienced by dual nationals – individuals holding both UK citizenship and citizenship of another country. These individuals are unable to use the ETA scheme and must instead present either a British passport or a new digital certificate linked to their second nationality passport to enter the UK. Those without either document face being denied re-entry. Obtaining these documents can be a lengthy and costly process. A standard British passport costs approximately £100, while the certificate of entitlement can cost as much as £589.
Previously, dual nationals could freely enter and leave the UK using their non-British passport. Several British dual nationals have reported to the BBC difficulties in obtaining the necessary documentation to comply with the new rules, with some finding themselves stranded outside the UK due to the short timeframe for adjustment. A Home Office spokesperson told the BBC that public information advising dual nationals to carry the correct documents had been available since October 2024, and that a communication campaign regarding the ETA introduction had been running since 2023.
The UK is not alone in implementing an ETA system; similar schemes are already in place in Canada, the United States, and other countries. However, the cost of the UK’s ETA is higher than those in Canada (£3.78) and the US (£29.75).
The list of countries whose citizens currently require an ETA to visit the UK includes Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, and Vatican City.
