UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital pre-travel clearance system implemented by the UK Home Office (UKVI). It requires travelers visiting the United Kingdom who do not need a visa for short stays (including tourism, visiting family, short business trips, or transiting) to obtain electronic authorization prior to traveling. The UK ETA is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, allowing multiple visits of up to 6 months each.

No. British citizens, British Overseas Territory citizens, and Irish citizens traveling on an Irish passport do not require an ETA to enter the UK, in accordance with the longstanding Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement between the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.

No private agency or third-party facilitator can guarantee visa or ETA approval. Sovereign authorization decisions are made solely by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and Border Force officers. NomadicMart is an independent application concierge service not affiliated with the UK Government or gov.uk. We ensure your application is verified and error-free.

Under UK border rules, transit passengers who must clear UK border control (landside transit) require an approved ETA. For airside transit (where you remain in the international transfer lounge without passing through passport control), ETA requirements depend on your nationality. Eligible visa-free travelers transiting through London Heathrow (LHR) or Manchester (MAN) should hold an approved ETA.

On an approved UK ETA, you may visit the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, holidays, visiting family or friends, permitted short-term business activities (such as attending interviews, meetings, conferences, or signing contracts), short-term study courses up to 6 months, or transiting through the UK. You cannot take up employment, work for a UK company, or access public funds.