ETA UK 2025: affected countries, full list and exemptions

July 15, 2025

Since the launch of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) , the United Kingdom has gradually expanded the list of nationalities covered. As of the latest update on April 2, 2025, citizens of the European Union (excluding Ireland), certain EEA countries, and other nations are now required to obtain an ETA before traveling to the United Kingdom.

1. What is ETA in the UK?

The ETA is a mandatory electronic travel authorization for nationals of countries exempt from short-stay visas. This measure applies to tourist, business, or transit stays of up to six months.

It does not cover long stays, student or work visas. It does not replace a visa for long stays or for reasons of settlement, work or study.

2. Who is now affected by ETA since April 2025?

From 2 April 2025 , anyone with a national passport from one of the following countries must apply for an ETA before travelling to the UK:

European Union (excluding Ireland): France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican
Gulf / Middle East : Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Other countries : United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan (if passport includes national ID card)

An ETA currently costs £16 , is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires, and allows multiple entries with a total duration of up to 6 months.

3. Who is exempt from ETA?

Irish citizens (Ireland-UK free movement agreement)
Holders of a valid British visa (work, study, family, etc.)
Airside transits without mandatory immigration clearance (temporary exemption)

Please note: ETA exemption does not guarantee unchecked entry. UK border officials reserve the right to refuse entry.

4. Why the ETA extends to all visa-exempt countries

The Home Office has rolled out ETA in three phases:

Oct–Nov 2023: Qatar
February 2024: Gulf (Bahrain, etc.)
April 2025: Europe and other countries visa-free

The stated objective: to strengthen border security while streamlining travel. More than 1.1 million ETA applications have been registered since its inception.

5. What this means for you as a traveler

Check your nationality in the full list above or on the official gov.uk website
Anticipate your ETA before travel
Choose a secure service like Visaeta.com to avoid any technical errors or incomplete forms.

6. Planned evolution of the list

The government plans to expand the ETA program to all currently visa-exempt countries in the short term. This expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 or sometime in 2026.

Travelers are therefore strongly advised to regularly check for updates on official websites or from reliable providers such as Visaeta.com .

7. Conclusion

In 2025, the ETA will become mandatory for anyone currently exempt from a visa in the UK, except for Irish nationals and those with a valid visa.

To avoid denied boarding or delays, check your status now, prepare your application and complete it via Visaeta.com .

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the UK ETA 2025 available to all countries?

No, only for certain eligible nationalities; this list is updated regularly by the UK government on the gov.uk website.

How do I know if my country is on the list of eligible countries?

Carefully review the alphabetical list above. If your nationality is listed, you can apply for ETA 2025.

What if my country is not on the list?

If your country is not eligible, you will need to follow standard visa procedures for travel to the UK, available via the embassy or official website.