What is the UK ETA?

In 2025, the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) introduced the United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation. If you hold an American or Canadian passport, you most likely need a UK ETA in addition to your passport when traveling to the United Kingdom.  Even if you are just transiting through the UK on a connection to another destination, The Traveling Professor is strongly recommending to his travel clients to obtain a UK ETA.   It is understood that travelers might think this is just another nonsensical and inconvenient exercise to get a UK ETA, but evidently, it is absolutely necessary to get it. 

Why You Need the UK ETA

The Professor recently applied for a UK ETA because his flight from New York JFK to Split, Croatia, connected through London Heathrow. Current UK rules say travelers connecting through the UK need an ETA if they go through UK passport control. Those transiting through Heathrow or Manchester who do not go through passport control do not currently need one. However, flight plans can change, terminals can change, luggage may need to be rechecked, and disruptions happen. For that reason, The Traveling Professor recommends that U.S. and Canadian travelers obtain a UK ETA before any itinerary involving a UK airport connection.

It is important to know that the UK ETA is not just needed for air travel.  For instance we have a small group tour to Ireland that starts in Dublin.  On that tour we travel by land from Ireland (not part of the UK) to Belfast in Northern Ireland (part of the UK).  A UK ETA is required. 

How to Apply for the UK ETA

Apply only through the official GOV.UK ETA page or the official UK ETA app. Other websites may charge more and may imitate government services.

Let's talk about how to apply for a UK ETA.  To get an overview, we recommended viewing a very helpful video.  The items you will need on hand to apply for the ETA are:

• Smartphone with the ETA app downloaded on it.  Visit the UK ETA site to start the download. 
• Passport
• Credit or Debit Card.  The charge is going to be £20 GBP.

Part of the process of getting the ETA is that they are going to ask you to take a photo of your face with your phone.  The headshot needs to have a white background with good lighting.  The app seems to be quite finicky with this.  It took about 5 or 6 tries before we got it right. 

Once started with the application process with the app, it took about 15 minutes to complete the application.  Two days later by email, a notification was received that the UK ETA application was approved.  It is digitally associated with the passport so no extra documentation is needed.  The UK ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

Join The Professor on a small group tour to Europe, South America, and Canada.