A UK ETA is an electronic travel authorisation process used to check an applicant’s basic details and passport information before travel, and to assess their eligibility to travel to the UK.
A UK ETA is a digital travel permission required before travelling to the UK. Even if you do not need a visa, you may still need to apply for a UK ETA if you are an eligible traveller.
- Traveller information check
The application includes passport details, personal information, and travel-related information. This allows the relevant information to be reviewed before the traveller arrives in the UK.
The UK ETA application helps confirm whether the applicant meets the conditions for a short visit to the UK. It is generally used for permitted purposes such as tourism, visiting family or friends, or short-term business visits.
An approved UK ETA is used as a required travel authorisation before travelling to the UK. Airlines or carriers may check whether a traveller has the required permission before departure. If a traveller who needs a UK ETA does not have one, they may face issues with boarding or entry procedures.
However, UK ETA approval does not guarantee entry to the UK. Final permission to enter is decided by a border officer upon arrival in the UK.