Applying for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel to the UK

Introduction

If you’re planning a trip to the UK in 2025, you may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you can board your flight.

The ETA scheme first launched in October 2023 for travellers from Qatar and has been gradually expanded.

• From 8 January 2025, all visitors who wouldn’t normally need a visa (except Europeans) will have to apply for an ETA.
• From 2 April 2025, this requirement will also apply to European nationals.

The current list of countries whose nationals are required to obtain an ETA can be found on the Government website.

What is an ETA?

The ETA is a quick and simple online travel authorisation. It’s usually valid for visits such as tourism, short-term study, or limited work (like attending a one-off event). The system is designed to make travel smoother by allowing pre-screening before you arrive at the UK border.

Most applications are processed automatically and, for the majority of travellers, approval arrives within just a few hours.

If however you share information about a criminal record, your application will require a manual review. In these cases, it can take up to 7 days to receive a decision, though most are completed within 3 days.

Your ETA is digitally linked to your passport. If your passport is lost or replaced, you’ll need to apply for a new ETA.

The ETA application process

As part of the ETA process, you’ll need to provide:

• Your valid passport, which confirms your identity and nationality.
• A recent facial photograph.

On the ETA form, there are a few questions about criminal records. You’ll be asked to share if:

• You have ever received a prison sentence of 12 months or more (in the UK or overseas).
• You have had any criminal conviction in the past 12 months (in the UK or overseas), regardless of the outcome.

If this applies to you, you’ll be asked for some basic details, such as the date of conviction, the type of offence, and the sentence or outcome you received. Please note that it isn’t possible to provide additional supporting information at this stage.

The ETA costs £16. This fee is non-refundable, and there isn’t currently an option for faster processing.

Once approved, your ETA will be electronically linked to your passport. It will stay valid for up to two years or until your passport expires, whichever happens first. If you plan on travelling to the UK more than once within this period, you won’t need to reapply until your ETA or passport expires.

Children of all ages, including babies and infants, will also need their own ETA if they are nationals of a country where ETA’s apply.

You can apply for an ETA online here. You can also download the app for iOS here and the app for Androids here.

How is the disclosure of a criminal record dealt with?

Paragraph 9.4 of the Immigration Rules states that an ETA application MUST be refused where an applicant:

1. Has been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or overseas for which they have received a custodial sentence of 12 months or more.
2. Is a persistent offender who shows a particular disregard for the law.
3. Has committed a criminal offence, or offences, which caused ‘serious harm’.
4. Has been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or overseas for which they have received a custodial sentence of less than 12 months, unless more than 12 months have passed since the end of the custodial sentence.
5. Has been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or overseas for which they have received a non-custodial sentence, or received an out-of-court disposal that is recorded on their criminal record, unless more than 12 months have passed since the end of the sentence.

The Immigration Rules also set out circumstances in which an assessor MAY refuse an application.

Where a person has been convicted of an offence for which they’ve received a non-custodial sentence or an out-of-court disposal, the assessor has some discretion in deciding whether to refuse an application. The assessor must take into account the individual circumstances of the case. This could include:

• whether this is the individual’s first application
• there is more than one instance of criminality and/or offending so that refusal is appropriate on the grounds of persistent offending
• whether the sentence is very short, such as detention at court under Section 135 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 for a single day
• the length of time passed since the offence was committed, including whether any other entry clearance or permission has been granted since the offence
• the relevance of the offence to the application
• any ties the person has to the UK.

Interpreting the Immigration Rules

Paragraph 9.4.1 of the Immigration Rules introduces two vague statements in relation to the refusal of an application on the basis of a criminal record. Assessors are instructed to refuse an application where the applicant:

1. Is a persistent offender who shows a particular disregard for the law.
2. Has committed a criminal offence, or offences, which caused serious harm.

Persistent offender

When considering whether a person is a persistent offender, assessors must consider:

• the number and frequency of offences committed and the timescale over which they were committed
• the seriousness of those offences
• whether the offences have escalated in seriousness
• any pattern in the offending
• whether they have shown a particular disregard for the law.

Serious harm

An offence that has caused serious harm means an offence that has caused serious physical or psychological harm to victims, or that has contributed to a widespread problem that causes serious harm to a community or to society in general.

An individual that has been convicted of one or more violent, drug related, racially-motivated or sexual offences, will normally be considered to have been convicted of an offence that has caused serious harm.

Sexual offences

The Immigration Rules make it clear that where a person is on the Sex Offenders Register, assessors must refuse or cancel entry clearance on the grounds of serious harm. Guidance states that even if an individual is no longer on the Register, the original offence would normally mean they’d be refused an ETA on the grounds of causing serious harm.

In practice, this may make it difficult for people convicted of sexual offences abroad to successfully apply for an ETA. Assessors may decide that if an individual were to come to the UK, they may be made subject to Notification Requirements, even if their conviction did not occur in the UK.

Appealing a decision

There isn’t a formal appeal process if you’re refused an ETA.

In some cases, the decision might be challenged through Judicial Review, depending on the reasons for the refusal. This process can be complex and hasn’t been widely tested, so we encourage anyone thinking about this option to seek advice from a qualified legal professional.

What can you do if you’re refused an ETA?

If you’re refused an ETA then the only option would be to apply for a UK Standard Visitor Visa. This is a longer and more expensive route but allows you to provide context behind your criminal record and to provide further supporting information to demonstrate that you don’t pose a risk to the UK.

A Standard Visitor Visa application would usually involve a face-to-face interview.

What’s the difference between an ETA and a Visa?

It’s important to understand that an ETA is not the same as a visa. The key differences are:

• Eligibility – The ETA is for citizens of visa-exempt countries such as the USA, who are visiting the UK for short stays (up to six months) for tourism, business, or study. A visa is required for individuals travelling for longer periods, for purposes like work or long-term study or for individuals who have been refused an ETA.
• Application process – The ETA application is entirely online, making it a quicker and simpler option than a visa, which often requires more documentation, in-person appointments and longer processing times.
• Cost – The ETA costs significantly less than a visa application.
• Duration – An ETA is valid or two years or until the linked passport expires, allowing multiple trips to the UK during this period. A visa’s validity and terms depend on the type issued.

Useful links

Below you will find useful websites relating to this page:

• Gov.UK – for information relating to visas and immigration

More information

• For practical information – More information on housing and living in the UK
• Questions – If you have any questions about this, you can contact our helpline