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Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

By April 2025, all visitors who do not need a visa, except British and Irish citizens, will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) – a digital permission to travel to the UK

If you’re travelling to Northern Ireland for the first time, we’re on hand to answer all your questions on who is eligible and how to apply for the new ETA scheme.

What is an Electric Travel Authorisation?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a new requirement that grants permission to travel to the UK with the exception of British and Irish citizens. Everyone including children who enters or transits through the UK must apply.

To help you plan your future trip to Northern Ireland, watch the UK Government’s video overview of the scheme and who will need one.

 

 

ETA Requirements 

What you need to know:

  • An ETA must be applied for online in advance of travel to Northern Ireland.
  • An ETA will be linked to the traveller’s passport and will last for two years or until the traveller’s passport expires – whichever comes first.
  • Travellers will be able to make multiple journeys of up to 6 months within those two years.
  • The cost of an ETA is currently £16 from 9th April 2025
  • You cannot get a refund after you apply.
  • British and Irish nationals will not require an ETA to travel to Northern Ireland.
  • The ETA will be a requirement for entry to Northern Ireland for travellers entering directly or via the Republic of Ireland.

You’ll find more information and guidance on how to apply here.

 

Who will need an ETA?
You’ll need an ETA if you are:

Eligible non-Europeans can apply in advance from 27 November 2024 and will need an ETA to travel from 8 January 2025.
Eligible Europeans can apply from 5 March 2025 and will need an ETA to travel from 2 April 2025.

 

Who will not need an ETA?

You do not need an ETA if:

Check if you’re eligible for a UK visa

 

Is the ETA a visa to enter the UK?
No, the ETA is not a visa. All other entry requirements into the UK will remain unchanged.

 

How do I apply for an ETA?

The fastest way to apply is using the UK ETA app.

You need:

  • the passport you will travel with – not a photocopy or digital passport
  • access to your emails
  • a payment method – you can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Apple Pay or Google Pay

You will need to upload or take photos of the:

  • passport
  • face of the person applying

You do not need to enter your travel details.

You can apply on the UK ETA app, or online at GOV.UK. Each traveller must get their own ETA, including children and babies, and you can apply on the behalf of others. You’ll normally find out within 3 working days on whether your application is successful.

Please note, applications may take longer if further checks are needed.

 

How much will an ETA cost?
An ETA will cost £10 per person.

The cost of an ETA will be increasing to £16 from 9th April 2025.

 

How will I receive my ETA?
You’ll get an email confirmation if your application has been approved and your ETA will be linked electronically to the passport you applied with. You must use the same passport to travel.

 

How long it takes to apply for an ETA

You will usually get a decision within 3 working days. Most people get a much quicker decision. Occasionally, it may take longer than 3 working days. You cannot get a faster decision by applying through another website.

 

If you need to travel soon for an ETA

You must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK. You can travel to the UK while waiting for a decision. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

 

When does my ETA expire?
Your ETA will last for two years. It will allow multiple journeys to the UK and will be valid for two years or until your passport expires – whichever is sooner.

 

What if I’m refused an ETA?
You’ll need to apply for either a:

 

What if I’m arriving into Dublin, and then travelling to Belfast / Northern Ireland?
There will be no immigration controls on the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border. All individuals arriving in the UK, including those crossing the land border into Northern Ireland, continue to need to enter in line with the UK’s immigration framework, including the need to obtain an ETA once required.

For more information, download the Ireland and Northern Ireland factsheet (issued 10 September 2024).

 

How does ETA work in Northern Ireland? – Updated 19th March

  • The UK does not operate routine immigration controls on journeys from within the Common Travel Area, with no immigration controls whatsoever on the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border.
  • However, everyone arriving in the UK, including those entering Northern Ireland, continues to need to enter in line with the UK’s Immigration Rules including obtaining an ETA if they are eligible.
  • British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA.
  • Non-Irish residents of Ireland from nationalities that do not need a visa to visit the UK (e.g. European and US nationals), do not need an ETA when travelling to the UK– including Northern Ireland – from within the Common Travel Area which includes Ireland, provided they hold acceptable evidence of their residence status. Full guidance on this can be found at GOV.UK. If they are travelling to the UK from outside the Common Travel Area, they will need an ETA before they travel, once required for their nationality.

 

Useful links:

Guide to using the ETA App – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-uk-eta-app

Apply for an ETA – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

ETA webchat – https://ukimmigration-support-webchat.homeoffice.gov.uk/eta

 

Videos:

What is an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQVvTTbHIu4

How to Apply For a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG1zaOMl63M

As information may change, we suggest checking www.gov.uk for the most current ETA updates.