UK ETAs: Who Needs One And When

If you are a business inviting visitors to the UK or an inpidual visiting (or transiting landside through) the UK, you may be affected by the UK's expanded electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme for non-visa nationals.

The ETA Scheme has been fully enforced since 25 February 2026. It's a pre-entry requirement for everyone who doesn't require a visa to enter the UK and who doesn't have any existing UK immigration permission (or exemption from immigration control). The UK government refers to this group as 'non-visa nationals'.

If you are a non-visa national, you will need to have an ETA if you are coming to the UK to:

• Visit;
• Transit (landslide only); or
• Work in the UK for up to three months under the Creative Worker visa concession.