You Will Need An ETA To Enter The UK In 2024

The UK has announced that individuals who do not require a visa to enter the country will be charged an entry fee. According to the latest updates from the UK Government's Visa and Immigration Department, a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme will be implemented, costing £10 (RM57 or SGD18). The ETA is a new requirement that grants permission to travellers visiting the UK and is electronically linked to the traveller's passport.

Who will need an ETA

You'll need an ETA if you:

• come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or study
• come to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
• transit through the UK – including if you’re not going through UK border control

You can check if you need a visa.

From 15 November 2023, you’ll need an ETA if you’re travelling to the UK and you’re a national of Qatar. You’ll be able to apply from 25 October.

From 22 February 2024, you’ll need an ETA if you’re travelling to the UK and you’re a national of:

• Bahrain
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates

More nationalities will be added to the scheme later.

Who will not need an ETA

You will not need an ETA if you have either:

• a British or Irish passport
• permission to live, work or study in the UK
• a visa to enter the UK

If you’re legally resident in Ireland, and you do not need a visa to visit the UK, you will not need an ETA if you’re entering the UK from either:

• Ireland
• Guernsey
• Jersey
• Isle of Man

Reports suggest that more countries and territories are expected to be included in the ETA requirement in the future.

How to apply

• You’ll need to apply on the UK ETA app, or online on GOV.UK. You can apply on behalf of others.
• Each traveller must get their own ETA, including children and babies.
• You’ll usually get a decision within 3 working days, but you may get a quicker decision.
• It may take longer than 3 working days if we need to make further checks.

How much it costs

An ETA will cost £10 (RM57 or SGD18) per applicant.

How you’ll get your ETA

• You’ll get an email confirmation if your application is approved.
• We’ll link your ETA electronically to the passport you applied with. You must use the same passport to travel.

After you get your ETA

• Your ETA will last for 2 years. If your passport expires in less than 2 years, you’ll need to get a new ETA.
• You can use it to make multiple visits to the UK. You still need to either use an ePassport gate if you’re eligible or see a Border Force officer to enter the UK.
• An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK.

If you’re refused an ETA

You need to apply for either a:

• Standard Visitor visa to visit the UK
• Temporary Work - Creative Worker visa to come to the UK as a creative worker
• transit visa to transit through the UK

This page will be updated with more details.