ETA Visa: An Overview
- An ETA visa is not to be confused with a UK visit visa for the purpose of entering the UK. An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is a document required by visa-exempt countries to apply for and register before arriving in the UK.
- By requiring visitors to register with travel registration, the UK Government is taking steps to keep a track of visitors overstaying on visa-exempt conditions while in the country or visiting the country on an electronic visa waiver. Those with visa-free or visa-waiver status are allowed to enter the UK with this travel formality, which functions more like a permit document that allows them to gain entry.
- As a result of this travel formality, the UK border control officials can keep a track of the number of people entering and exiting the country and identify potential overstayers. In addition, the UK border control officials will have enough time to understand if there is a potential risk of concerned individuals arriving in the country.
Who Can Apply For ETA Visa?
- The United Kingdom ETA visa applies to individuals who can obtain a UK visa waiver or visa exemption for a social visit or take part in leisure activities or business events in the UK for a short period of time.
- In other words, it means that citizens who need to apply for a UK visit visa before arriving in the UK are not required to apply for an ETA.
- If you want to travel to the UK from countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Japan, to name a few, then you will need to apply for a UK ETA visa. A number of European Economic Area member states and Middle Eastern nations such as UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia will also require the submission of an ETA before their arrival in the United Kingdom.
UK ETA Application Procedure: What to Do and How to Do it
- If you are wondering ‘How to apply for a UK ETA Visa?’, you can easily do so online but before the commencement of travel to the UK. It is a requirement that the traveller has a copy of the proof of registration to ETA before boarding a flight to the UK. An ETA in a way can be compared to the ‘OK to Board’ in the UAE or the ESTA in the USA. Having this tag on the traveller is for the purpose of determining whether the traveller is eligible to travel to the UK under the visa waiver or exemption program.
- A visitor who wishes to obtain a UK ETA needs to fill out an online application form containing his or her personal information as well as passport information and travel information and pay a fee.
- An application can be completed in less than 15 minutes, once it has been submitted, the traveller will be notified via email within 78 hours of the application being approved.
- Prior to boarding a flight to the United Kingdom, you will be required to present this approved document. Without this, travellers will be denied permission to board the flight to the UK.
- The UK ETA will be valid for 2 years once you receive the approval, therefore the UK visitor will not have to apply again for an ETA if he or she is permitted to enter the UK without a pre-approved UK tourist visa. It is recommended that you complete this formality at least a week before your departure date in order to avoid any last-minute hassles.
ETA visa Fee
The ETA for the United Kingdom is still in its early phases and is preparing to launch in the near future, so the visa fees haven’t been implemented, but they may vary based on an individual’s citizenship.Disqualification
Like any visa formality, this travel document only allows you to travel to the designated country. It is up to the Immigration officer at the airport where you arrived in the UK to decide whether or not you are eligible to enter the country. If you have a valid UK ETA visa in hand, then you may be able to board your flight to the UK, but in case the Immigration official at the UK airport deems that you cannot enter the country for some particular reason, then you will have to adhere to his decision and follow through with it. ETA is an added layer of security to your travel status, and it will be mandatory for several nationalities that are currently able to visit the UK with just a valid passport, a well-planned itinerary, confirmed return tickets, and enough funds for a comfortable stay in the UK.How do you travel with an ETA?
An ETA grants advance permission to travel to UK, but it does not guarantee entry. Passport control is still required, either through an ePassport gate or a Border Force officer. Border Force officials may still refuse entry if they are not satisfied with the genuine intentions or visitor rules. To enter the UK, it is essential to carry sufficient documentation, including proof of your trip purpose, accommodation, funds, and evidence of your return flight or journey. Documentary proof of your stay, funds, and return flight is also required. While a paper printout of your ETA is not required, it may be helpful to print the confirmation email and keep it with you.Denied an ETA for the UK?
The UK’s travel rules are strict, requiring applicants to apply for a suitable visa if an ETA is denied. The type of visa needed depends on the purpose of the trip, including a Standard Visitor visa for tourism, business, or short studies, a Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa for creative workers, and a Transit visa for transit through the UK, including airports waiting for connecting flights. The visa type needed depends on the specific purpose of the trip.Standard Visitor Visa
For being eligible for a Standard Visitor visa, applicants must meet certain requirements, similar to those for ETA travel. These include genuine intent to visit the UK for permitted purposes, self-sufficiency, and ability to cover reasonable costs, not intending to engage in prohibited activities, intention to leave the UK at the end of the permitted stay, and not intending to live in UK for extended periods or make it their main home. Non-visa nationals must also meet these requirements when seeking entry until visa-free travel is possible without an ETA. This process ensures that non-visa nationals can continue to travel to the UK visa-free and without an ETA.Creative Worker Visa
A Creative Worker visa allows temporary employment in UK creative industries like acting, music, dance, or film. Eligibility requires a sponsorship certificate from a licensed sponsor, work related to the sponsor’s UK-based organization, minimum salary, and sufficient funds to support oneself upon arrival. The visa is valid for individuals with a sponsorship certificate and sufficient funds to support themselves.UK Transit Visa
The UK has two types of Transit visas: Direct Airside Transit and Visitor in Transit. Direct Airside Transit visas are required for those changing flights within the UK without going through border control. Visitor in Transit visas are needed for those going through border control but leaving within 48 hours. Visitor-in-transit visas are required for frequent passing through the UK over 6 months, while Standard Visitor visas are needed for stays over 48 hours. To apply for either visa, a current passport or valid travel document is required. Proof of onward journey to the destination country, such as a flight booking email or ticket, may also be required. If not a national, evidence of entry, such as a residence permit, green card, or valid visa, may also be required.UK ETA FAQs
1. What is ETA?
ETA stands for the “Electronic Travel Authorization,” which is intended to screen specific foreign nationals before they travel, even if they do not require a visa. It is akin to Electronic System for Travel Authorization (or ESTA) in the US.
2. What is ETA for UK?
The ETA refers to the new system of Electronic Travel Authorization implemented in the UK. It will first come into effect for citizens of Qatar around November 2023, and for people holding passports from Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates early in 2024. More nationalities are anticipated to be included under the ETA system in 2024.
3. Is an ETA needed for UK in 2024?
Qatar’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme began operations on October 25, 2023, and will be expanded to Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in early 2024.
4. Who needs an ETA for UK?
Qatari nationals will need an ETA to visit the UK from 15 November 2023, followed by Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in early 2024, with more nationalities added later.
5. What is ETA requirement?
The ETA UK, similar to the US’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), is for non-visa nationals to undergo screening before travel.
6. ETA UK Latest News
The UK’s electronic travel authorization (ETA) scheme has opened for Qatari nationals since 15 November 2023, demonstrating the UK government’s commitment to modernizing and digitizing its border. Most citizens apply for ETA using a mobile app, while Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan can start applying from 1 February 2024 if they visit the UK from 22 February 2024.
7. How long does an ETA last?
An ETA, granted after a successful submission of United Kingdom ETA application form, can last up to 2 years. If your passport expires within this time, you need a new ETA. During this time, you can use your ETA for multiple UK visits, provided you use the same passport for travel or risk being denied entry. The passport must hold validity for the entire duration of your UK stay. If your passport expires within 2 years, you need to obtain a new ETA.
Conclusion
ETA Visa is the newly added convenience for people travelling to the UK. So, if you are a non-visa national, know all the policies of ETA Visa and fly hassle-free.