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Visitors from 85 countries and regions, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, are now legally required to have an ETA when travelling to the UK.
Effective 25 February 2025, non-visa nationals entering the UK will be legally required to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) when travelling to the UK.
Visitors of 85 nationalities, including those from the United States, Canada, and France, must pay £16 for an ETA. This amount will permit multiple journeys over two years, or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
The 85 locations (including associated territories) are as follows:
- 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 Special Administrative Region
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao Special Administrative Region
- 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
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
British and Irish citizens, including those holding dual citizenship, are exempt from needing an ETA. However, they must present a valid British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement when travelling to the UK.
The requirement also applies to travellers transiting through the UK who need to pass through passport control for connecting flights.
Mike Tapp, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, commented on the updated enforcement, saying that the ETA scheme plays a vital role of strengthening UK's border security, while delivering "a more efficient and modern service that works for both visitors and the British public."
"I’d urge anyone wanting to travel to the UK to ensure they are travel ready and have the right permission, to make their journey much smoother," he added.
In addition, from 26 February, Certificates of Entitlement will be issued in digital format. Applicants will only need to apply once, as the certificate will no longer expire when a passport is renewed.
Travellers are advised to apply through the UK ETA application at least three working days before departure. While most decisions are issued promptly, some cases may require additional review. Applicants must provide biographic and biometric details and answer suitability and criminality questions. Once approved, the ETA will be digitally linked to the traveller’s passport.
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