Who needs a visa to travel to (or through) the UK this summer?

Since the UK left the EU, more and more changes are being instigated, often causing havoc at passport control.

So if you’re travelling anywhere in the UK this summer, or even passing through on a layover, here’s all you need to know about the new electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

Who needs a visa?

If you are a national of (or are travelling on a passport from) one of the 68 countries and territories listed on the UK Gov website, then you will need an ETA if travelling to or through the UK.

However, airside transit passengers are those who do not need to change airports and do not need to pass through the UK border, but you will need to check with your airline (and connection terminal) to ensure you won’t pass through border control.

It is also noted that passengers cannot transit "airside" to the Republic of Ireland or anywhere within the common travel area.

There is also a list of 45 countries and territories who need a visa to enter or transit the UK landside. Landside transit passengers refers to those who need (or wish) to pass through the UK border and enter the UK (for example, to change airport, to collect baggage or have arrived at airports where no airside transfer is possible).

Do Irish citizens need one?

Luckily, Irish citizens are one of the few groups who do not need an ETA to enter or pass through the UK, thanks to the Common Travel Area (CTA) between the two nations.

Before April 2, 2025, other citizens from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland were also in this group, but since then, they also now need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK.

You will need to show proof of Irish nationality when travelling through the UK border control, but you do not need a visa.

Other exemptions include if:

• you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)
• you are transiting through a UK airport and you will not pass through border control (check with your airline if you are not sure)
• you are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport
• you are travelling with a British National (Overseas) passport
• you live in Ireland and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man
• you are a child travelling on the France-UK school trip travel information form
• you are exempt from immigration control or obtaining permission to enter

How to get a visa?

Similar to how those travelling to the USA get their ESTA, those looking to apply for an ETA can do so online. It costs £16 (~€19) to apply for one, and you will need the passport you will travel with (not a photocopy or digital passport), access to your emails and a payment method (you can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Apple Pay or Google Pay)

You will need to upload or take photos of the passport and also one of the face of the person applying for the visa.

The applications usually take three working days, but it could take shorter or longer depending on the applicant. However, if you need to travel soon, you still must apply for the ETA before you travel to the UK, but you can travel there while waiting for the decision.

Those travelling in groups must apply separately, and once successful, you will get an email confirming you have the ETA and it will be linked ot the passport you applied with, lasting two years or until the passport expires (whichever somes first).

I’m only travelling through a UK airport and onto another country. Do I need a visa?

This is where things get tricky, as the answer is yes and no. Essentially, those who would require a visa to enter the country, aka those not travelling on a British or Irish passport or who qualify for any of the above exemptions, may get lucky and not need one.

The main reason for this is if your connecting flight is located within the same terminal, you may not be crossing UK border control, and hence, do not need the visa.

However, while you may not be technically entering the UK landside, if you are changing terminal (or sometimes even in the same terminal), there is a border control and you will need the visa.

The safest way to ensure if you need one or not is to check your outgoing and return details, and ask your airline if you will encounter border control en route.

There is also a handy feature on the website that can help you check your status and if you need an ETA.

*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.