Beginning January 8, 2025, visitors from 48 countries who previously did not require a visa to enter the United Kingdom will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). The ETA, a new digital registration system, marks a significant shift in the UK’s travel procedures, requiring pre-clearance for entry.
While Indian travelers are not visa-exempt and still require a visa to enter the U.K., this new system could indirectly affect their travel plans by streaming entry for other international visitors and potentially influencing future visas.
What is the ETA?
The ETA is the UK’s equivalent of the United States’ ESTA. It is a visa waiver rather than a visa, aimed at enhancing security and streamlining travel for short visits of up to six months for tourism, business, short-term study, or specific paid engagements.
Who needs an ETA?
Initially rolled out to Gulf Cooperation Council nationals in 2024, the ETA will now apply to travelers from 48 non-European countries, including the U.S., Canada, and Australia. EU citizens will join the list of those requiring an ETA starting April 2, 2025.
Residents of the U.K. and travelers who already hold a visa are exempt from the ETA requirement. However, anyone transiting through the U.K., even briefly, will need an ETA.
ETA and its Impact
The ETA, similar to the United States’ ESTA, requires travelers from visa-free nations to apply for pre-clearance before arriving in the U.K. This move aims to enhance security and improve broader management. For Indian nationals, who continue to need a standard U.K. visa, the new system could mean a smoother travel experience at U.K. airports due to reduced queues and a streamlined entry process for ETA-approved travelers.
Indian travelers to the UK, key considerations
India remains one of the largest sources of international travelers to the U.K., with over 1,1 million visits annually, primarily for tourism, business, and study. The ETA system will not change visa requirements for Indian nationals but highlights the U.K.’s broader shift towards a digital travel authorization system.
How to apply
The application process is straightforward and costs £10 (around $12.50). Travelers can apply online or through the official U.K. government app, which promises faster processing times.
Applicants will need to
- Upload a photo of their passport
- Complete a live scan and photo upload
- Answer questions about their travel plans
Decisions are typically issued within three days, though processing may take longer. An ETA remains valid for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
Key considerations
- Family applications: each traveler, including infants, requires an individual ETA, through applications can be submitted on behalf of others.
- Entry not guaranteed: holding an ETA does not guarantee entry into the U.K., Border Force officials retain discretion at passport control.
The future outlook for Indian travelers
As countries adopt digital entry systems like ETA and the EU’s upcoming ETIAS (expected in late 2025), Indian travelers may see similar technological changes in visa processes. Travelers planning to visit the U.K. and Europe should prepare for separate authorizations, ensuring compliance with the U.K.’s ETA and the EU’s ETAS requirements.
While Indian nationals currently require a visa, the U.K.’s adoption of ETA reflects efforts to modernize and simplify travel procedures, potentially signaling further changes to global visa and immigration systems.
Indian travelers planning trips to the U.K. should stay updated on visa rules and explore how the ETA system might indirectly enhance their travel experience.