ETA Requirements: According to the UK government website, eligible Europeans will be able to apply from 5 March 2025 and must have an ETA to travel to the UK from 2 April 2025.
For other visas: We are able to provide an invitation letter. To request one, please contact us at EPICSCollabCommittee@stfc365.onmicrosoft.com or nadir.bouhelali@stfc.ac.uk
To check visa requirements, the following website can be used: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
STFC Guidance on ETA:
Overview
By April 2025 the UK Government aims to have fully implemented the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), giving nationals who can visit the UK without applying for a visa in advance(‘non visa nationals’) a digital permission to travel to the UK.
An ETA is not a UK visa, it is an additional new requirement for some, who do not currently requirea visa to visit the UK for a short stay, or does not have a UK immigration status.
Key Points
- It is the Visitor’s responsibility to check if they need an ETA.
- TheETA must be obtained prior to departure from your home country, or an individual will be unableto travel to the UK prior to boarding by an Airline, Ship (Ferry) or Rail (Eurostar) Carrier.
- The ETA is not a visa, it is an authority to travel.
How Do I know if I require an ETA ü
The ETA will apply to all ‘non-visa nationals’ (those from countries not on the ‘visa national’ list) including babies and children who are visiting the UK and includes those:
- Visiting for up to 6 months for tourism, visitingfamily and friends,business, academic or short-term study, under the permitted activities of a Standard Visitor visa;
- Undertaking a permitted paid engagement;
- transiting throughthe UK – including if they are not going through UK border control;
- Visiting for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
Who does not require an ETA ×
- Anyone who already holds a UK visa or other valid immigration status for the UK;
- Visa nationals who must continue to apply for and be granted the appropriate visa prior to travelling to the UK;
- Academics of any nationality, visiting for up to 12 months who must apply for and be granted this visa in advance of travel.
- British and Irish citizens:
ETA Role Out from 27 November 2024 – April 2025
The ETA is currently required for nationals from Bahrain, Kuwait,Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates
- On 27 November 2024 the ETA process will open for 48 countries (non-European nationals), to permit travel to the UK on or after 8 January 2025.
- On 5 March 2025 the remaining 34 countries (mostly European nationals) will be able to apply to permit travel to the UK on or after 2 April 2025.
Full details of the roll out of the ETA for each ‘non visa national’ country can be found on the gov.uk website.
Understanding The Electronic TravelAuthorisation
What is an Electronic Travel Authorisation is?’ video - What is an Electronic Travel Authorisation?
The following video provides you with a short and simple walkthrough of the ETA application process.Getting Started: Applying For a UK ETA
What is the Cost?
The ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK of up to six months at a time over two years or until the individuals passport expires – whichever is sooner.
