UK ETA News Updates for 2025

The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is digital permission for eligible citizens to travel to the country for short visits. Initially replacing the UK Visa Waiver scheme for Qatari citizens in October 2023, the ETA system is expanding to cover over 80 countries worldwide! Eligible citizens can apply online through a simple process to make traveling to (or transiting through) the UK and passing border control quick and streamlined.

Importantly, the ETA system is being implemented in phases. By April 2025, we will see the UK ETA expand to cover visitors from all countries who do not need a visa for their UK travels, including many EU and non-EU.

In this article, we’ll cover all the major updates of the UK electronic travel authorization news so you can stay up-to-date on travel requirements.

Major Phases in the UK ETA Rollout

The electronic travel authorization was first trialed in November 2023. Let’s take a look at how the system has expanded since then.

Phase 1: November 2023 – Early Rollout for Qatari Citizens

The first phase of the UK ETA allowed eligible citizens from Qatar to travel to the United Kingdom without a visa, for “cheaper and smoother travel” during short-term visits.

The problem with the previous visa waiver program was that it was lengthy and expensive to apply for. By introducing the ETA, starting with Qatari citizens, the UK could digitize the border crossing process—making it seamless for millions of eligible visitors.

Phase 2: February 2024 – Inclusion of Gulf Countries

The next phase of the UK ETA was the expansion to include other Gulf countries and Jordan, These countries are:

• Saudi Arabia
• Bahrain
• United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Jordan*

Eligible citizens from these countries could apply for the UK ETA from 1 February 2024, and use it to visit the UK from 22 February 2024, if their application was successful.

*On 10 September 2024, the UK Home Office announced that citizens of Jordan would no longer be eligible for the ETA, effective immediately. Jordanian nationals now need to apply for the applicable visa for their travel to the UK – even if they are only transiting through the country on their way to another destination.

Phase 3: January 2025 – Expansion to Include 49 Non-European Countries

From 27 November 2024, citizens from 49 non-EU countries can apply for the ETA for short-term travel to the UK. Approved applications will enable travel to the UK on the ETA scheme after 8 January 2025.

For many countries, this is welcome UK visa news. The introduction of the UK ETA will streamline and digitize the travel authorization process for the citizens of these countries, making it even more convenient. The full list of 49 countries includes:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Canada
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Hong Kong
• Israel
• Japan
• Kiribati
• Macao
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Marshall Islands
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Micronesia
• Nauru
• New Zealand
• Nicaragua
• Palau
• Panama
• Papua New Guinea
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Samoa
• Seychelles
• Singapore
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Taiwan
• Tonga
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Tuvalu
• United States
• Uruguay

Phase 4: April 2025 – Inclusion of 34 European Countries

The next phase of the ETA will be for citizens from eligible visa-exempt European countries. From 5 March 2025, European travelers from these countries can apply for the ETA:

• Andorra
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• San Marino
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Vatican City

Key Details About the UK ETA

It’s important to know that the ETA for the UK replaced the previous Visa Waiver Scheme for short-term travel. If you aren’t eligible for the UK ETA, you may need to apply for a visa.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Validity – up to 2 years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes sooner.
• Duration of stay – 6 months for tourism, business, and short-term study. 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession.
• Required documents – valid passport, photo of the applicant’s face, email account, and a valid payment method including a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
• Application process – you will need to fill out the online application form and wait for an email confirmation of acceptance (usually within 3 working days).

Travel Statistics to the UK

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, travel to the UK has been increasing. Predictions suggested that there would be 38.7 million inbound visits and £32.5 billion spent by tourists travelling to the UK in 2024. So, the UK electronic travel authorization program is a welcome upgrade for those travellers who don’t need a visa for UK travel.

By the end of June 2024:

• 388,021 visitors were granted UK ETAs – 98.6% of total applications.
• 2.1 million visitor visas were granted.