Earlier this month, the United Kingdom introduced its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), requiring more travelers than ever to get prior authorization to fly to the UK. The rollout has been phased: it began with Gulf Cooperation Country nationals last year, expanded to other non-European travelers earlier this month (the full list of countries can be found here), and will include EU citizens starting April 2, 2025. Previously, millions of travelers from the US, Canada, Australia, and over 40 other countries could simply book a flight and show up. That’s no longer the case.
So, how do I get it?
You can apply online through the UK government website, or via their dedicated ETA app. It seems like they are encouraging use of the app over the website, promising a quick 10-minute application process and potentially faster responses on the app versus the website.
I gave the app a try, and it only took me 7 minutes to apply—though about half that time was spent trying to get my phone to scan the e-passport chip (the gold rectangular symbol on the cover of most passports that signifies it has an RFID microchip) to no avail. It’s very straightforward: enter your contact info, scan your passport chip, let the app scan your face, take a selfie, and pay $12.65 (Apple Pay makes it even more seamless!). I got a confirmation email right after submitting, and an approval email about an hour later. Their website says it can take up to three business days for approval, and it may take a little longer if you have an old passport without a chip.
If you’re in a rush, you can still travel to the UK with a pending application, as long as you submit it before starting your trip. I’d interpret that as hitting “submit” in the Uber to the airport, but the UK government website doesn’t get so granular.
How long does it last?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation will last you two years with unlimited entries, so frequent UK travelers, even those who just touch down in Heathrow to sprint to a connecting flight, should just go ahead and apply now.
What if I already have a visa to enter the UK?
The ETA is technically not a visa, but a visa waiver. If you already have a visa or need one to enter the UK (for example, if you’re studying or working there), you don’t need an ETA in addition to your visa.
Straight from the horse’s mouth, here are the cases where you don’t need an ETA:
- you have a visa
- you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)
- you are a British or Irish citizen
- you are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport
- you live in Ireland and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
- If you are a dual citizen with British or Irish citizenship, you do not need an ETA. Prove your permission to travel using your British passport, Irish passport or other passport containing a certificate of entitlement.
What if I’m a dual citizen?
For those with dual citizenship (not in the UK or Ireland), the application allows you to enter multiple nationalities. I applied using my US passport and noted my Italian citizenship, even though the Electronic Travel Authorisation doesn’t apply to EU citizens yet. Since the ETA is tied to my US passport, I’ll likely need a separate one for my Italian passport once it becomes required, though the website doesn’t say this explicitly.
What else should I know?
The ETA is digitally linked to your passport—not to you—so if you get a new passport, you’ll need to apply for a new ETA. If you travel with multiple passports, ensure the one you’ve linked is the one you’re carrying—or link both to avoid issues.
For those of us accustomed to passport privilege, regularly applying for travel authorizations might feel new, but it’s quickly becoming the norm. When the EU rolls out ETIAS (their version of an ETA) in mid-2025 (the date has not been confirmed), more than 1.4 billion travelers from 60+ countries that were formerly visa-exempt will need travel authorization to enter most European countries. Americans can find a list of other countries that require visas for entry here.
It’s also important to stay on top of passport validity—many countries require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates, though requirements vary. The most accurate information is going to be on the government website of the country you’re visiting.
I’m a Delta loyalist (sometimes regretfully), and just discovered that their new Delta Concierge feature within the app will alert travelers to upcoming passport expirations and visa requirements. Hopefully, more airlines will follow suit with tools like this to help avoid last-minute travel disruptions—take Alex’s mom, who had to cancel her trip to Australia because she didn’t have a visa or the proper health declaration (required for age 75+, something even her cruise company overlooked). Or Matt, who had to book a last-minute flight from CDG to Tangier because his passport was expiring and Air France wouldn’t let him do a ground transfer to ORY—a mistake that even Condé Nast Traveler’s internal travel booking team missed. If it could happen there, we could probably all use the reminder.
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