Electronic Travel Authorisation

Questions and Answers

 

Q: Many artists travel to the UK for work under Permitted Paid Engagement, Permit Free Festivals – both of which are exceptions to a standard visitor visa, which non visa nationals do not have to apply for ahead of time.  Likewise, non-visa nationals do not need to apply for the Creative Worker visa concession to come to the UK and work for a short period.

Can you clarify when you say an ETA is not suitable for those coming to work what that means for visitors under PPE, PFF and Creative Worker visa concessions.  Do they need to apply for an ETA?

If a non-visa national decides to apply for a standard visitor visa and uses it for PPE and PFF – do they also need to apply for an ETA?

A: Yes, you are correct, visa nationals currently need a visit visa for PPE/PFF, non-visa nationals can, at present enter the UK with no form of permission but will in future require an ETA when it rolls out to their nationality.

Those seeking entry under the creative worker concession will require an ETA in advance of their travel to the UK if the following requirements are met: 

1. the applicant is not a visa national; and 
2. the applicant has a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from an approved sponsor for the Creative Worker route; and 
3. if the applicant has consecutive engagements, the total length of all the periods of engagement, together with any gap between those engagements, is three months or less; and 
4. if the applicant does not have consecutive engagements, the total length of the period of engagement is three months or less; and
5. the person otherwise meets the requirements to be granted permission as a Creative Worker.

An ETA is only applicable for short trips as a standard visitor of up to 6 months. So, when we say it is not suitable for those coming to work, live or study in the UK this means long term i.e., over 6 months, as this would require the appropriate visa.

Only one form of Permission to Travel is required, if a non-visa national has a valid visit visa, then this is their Permission to Travel, they do not also require an ETA. This tool may be helpful Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

Q: Will there be an emergency application process for ETA for those that need to visit the UK urgently but do not have an ETA in place – e.g., would someone without the ETA in place be able to visit the UK in a family emergency?

A: The majority of ETA applications are being processed rapidly meaning an ETA should be obtained even in the case of emergencies.

Whilst it is strongly encouraged that an ETA is obtained where required before travel, during the Implementation Period, an applicant can still travel to the UK while waiting for a decision on an application.

Once ETAs have been fully rolled out to all nationalities who require them, the requirement will be strictly enforced.

 

Q: What happens at the border if someone who should have an ETA does not have one?

A: Whilst it is strongly encouraged that an ETA is obtained where required before travel, during the Implementation Period, an applicant can still travel to the UK while waiting for a decision on an application.

Once ETAs have been fully rolled out to all nationalities who require them, the requirement will be strictly enforced.

 

Q: While everyone should be working towards engaging with the process of ETA, until a mandatory date has been set people can continue to travel without an ETA and enter the UK as they currently do, until a mandatory date has been set?  Do you know when ETA will be mandatory? 

A: See above, to note that an ETA is a requirement to travel when it is rolled out to that nationality.

Dates for the end of the implementation period will be announced in due course.

 

Q: Is the security check as part of the application undertaken by people and how does it relate to a case worker referral?

A: The application process requires the provision of biographic and biometric data and answers to a short set of suitability questions. Applications can be made via the ‘UK ETA App’ or the ETA application form on GOV.UK. The application should take less than 10 minutes to complete, with mostly automated data capture which requires minimal input.

Biographic and travel document information provided as part of the ETA application process will enable ETA decisions to be cross-referenced against advance passenger information to permit travel by those with permission, and to enable scrutiny and appropriate action where individuals without the appropriate permission attempt to travel to the UK.

We will also require individuals to provide biometric information and declarations of previous criminality. Applications may need to be processed manually by a caseworker in these circumstances.

 

Q: Can you confirm whether you will be providing any information to applicants about why an ETA is declined? Does having an ETA declined affect future possibilities for travel to the UK?  Can they reapply?

A: Once an application has been processed, the Home Office will issue applicants with an email confirming whether they have been granted or refused an ETA, if refused a brief explanation will be given.

Those whose application for an ETA is refused are advised to apply for a visit visa if they still wish to travel to the UK.

There is no right of appeal or administrative review against a decision to refuse an ETA.  Refusal reasons for an ETA are in-line with current immigration rules and can be found here on GOV.UK

 

Q: As it lasts for 2 years, is it advisable to have an ETA in place anyway to avoid last minute travel issues?

A: Yes, an ETA is valid for 2 years, or until the expiry of the passport used to apply if sooner and can be used for multiple journeys during this period.

 

Q: Do I need to have confirmed travel plans to the UK in place to apply for an ETA?

A: The ETA application process is quick and light touch. It has been designed to take less than 10 minutes to complete, with mostly automated data capture which means minimal manual entry is required. We do not ask for travel plans as once granted an ETA is valid for 2 years, or until the expiry of the passport used to apply if sooner and can be used for multiple journeys during this period.

 

Q: Who checks for my ETA – the airline before departing for the UK or at the UK border?

A: If granted, an ETA will be a digital status linked to the passport used in the application. Travelers’ will therefore not be required to demonstrate their permission to travel to carriers.

The effective operation of universal ‘permission to travel’ (including the ETA Scheme) will require carriers to check and confirm individuals’ permissions prior to travel.

It is our ambition for carriers operating scheduled services across all modes – air, rail and maritime – to use an interactive passenger system to confirm a passenger permission to travel prior to check-in and boarding. 

Carriers will provide API (Advance Passenger Information) and, in turn, receive confirmation from the Home Office that each individual has permission and may be carried to the UK; does not have permission and may not be carried, or that their permission needs to be determined by the carrier.

 

Q: Are there any plans to put in place other electronic border control system in the UK (similar to the upcoming EES in the EU)? Will there be any control over the days a visitor spends in UK?

A: No current plans to introduce this. We understand the EES/ETIAS has been postponed indefinitely.

 

Q: If an artist has two passports (of the same nationality), how do they apply for an ETA.  Do they need to make an application twice one for each passport?

A: Some nationals are allowed to hold a second passport (not dual nationals).  As the second passport contains separate biometrics and the ETA is digitally linked to that passport used to apply, then yes it will be possible for an individual to apply for multiple ETA’s.  Each application will be processed separately.

 

Q: There is concern that when international artists mention they are coming to the UK for work (e.g., for Permitted Paid engagement/Permit Free Festivals or Creative Worker concessionary routes) in the ETA application they will automatically be refused an ETA – is that the case?

A: Purpose for travel does not form part of the decision-making process on an application, nor does the ETA application capture details on the applicant’s purpose for travel.

The application itself is quick, light-touch and online, individuals will need to provide biographic and biometric data, and answer a short set of suitability questions, which will allow security checks to be conducted. This will enable more informed decisions to be made at an earlier stage on whether individuals should be allowed to travel to the UK.

An ETA application will only be refused where the applicant does not meet the suitability requirements set out in Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation - Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

If granted, an ETA will be valid for multiple trips over the ETA validity period, which is 2-years, or until the expiry date of the passport used to apply if sooner.

An ETA is permission to travel and does not confer leave to enter. Permission to enter the UK will still need to be granted on arrival, either by a Border Force Officer or, where eligible to use them, by passing through an e-gate.

You must meet the conditions of the route you are seeking to enter the UK by (e.g., permitted paid engagement or Creative Worker concession), including the requirement to have an ETA for travel once the scheme is fully rolled out.

 

Q: How will it work for EU citizens with a UK settled status? I understand they do not need to apply for an ETA, but how will the system know their status?

A: Those who already hold a valid UK immigration status such as EUSS are not required to obtain an ETA, their EUSS status will be their ‘permission to travel.’

The effective operation of universal ‘permission to travel’ (including the ETA scheme) will require carriers to check and confirm individuals’ permissions prior to travel. Carriers will provide API (Advance Passenger Information) to the Home Office and, in turn, receive confirmation from the Home

Office that every individual has permission and may be carried to the UK; does not have permission and may not be carried, or that their permission needs to be determined by the carrier.

For those with pre-settled or settled status under EUSS, Home Office records will confirm to the carrier where a permission is held.

 

Q: If you have settled status in the UK under the EU settled status scheme, but you are worried the system will not recognise you should you also apply for an ETA just in case?

A: Those who already hold a valid UK immigration status such as EUSS or ILR are not required to obtain an ETA, their EUSS status will be their ‘permission to travel’.

When travelling to or from the UK, individuals who have status under EUSS should travel with the passport that has been registered on their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. This is so that their status can be easily identified from their travel document.

The update my details (UMD) service is an online service available to EUSS (and other) applicants who have been granted status and have a UKVI account, which enables them to update their personal details, such as their name, and nationality. This service also allows individuals to update their sign in details and identity documents, such as a passport, identity card or travel document- Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Individuals must ensure they update their online status with all valid travel documents (such as passports or national identity cards) that they hold and intend to use for travel to avoid disruption to boarding and unnecessary delays at the border.

 

Q: I do not have a surname on my passport (just one legal name) …since online forms require a surname as a compulsory field what should I put in that field so my ETA can be processed automatically?

A: The ETA application process has been designed with worldwide naming conventions in mind and recognises that some people will not always have a legal given name and surname.

When you apply for an ETA, you will need to take a photo of the details in your passport. We will read your name as it appears in the machine-readable zone (MRZ) of your passport. This works for people with just one legal name. If the automatic read is incorrect, and you need to edit your one legal name, then enter it in the surname field.

For Information: To help with the application process, the Home Office has created a step-by-step Instructional video with input from members of the Home Office Advisory Groups, this is available via GOV.UK.

Those who encounter any issues with the application process can complete a webform on GOV.UK form for support.

 

Q: If I am a Visa / non-Visa national legally resident in ROI, will I need an ETA to travel to NI?

A: The travel requirements for visa nationals have not changed. If your nationality ordinarily requires a visa to visit the UK, you will still need to apply for a visa before you travel to the UK, which includes Northern Ireland. You should check the travel requirements for your nationality and whether you need a visa to come to the UK here: Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The ETA scheme applies to non-visa nationals visiting or transiting the UK, who do not have a valid UK immigration status prior to travelling.

However, non-visa nationals who are legally resident in Ireland are exempt from the ETA requirement when travelling to the UK from elsewhere within the Common Travel Area (CTA).

In order to benefit from the exemption for travel from within the CTA, residents will be required to use physical evidence which demonstrates that they are legally resident in Ireland. The Home Office has published guidance on acceptable physical evidence: Electronic travel authorisation: Irish resident exemption (accessible) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

If travelling to the UK from outside of the CTA, an ETA will be required by a non-visa national lawfully resident in Ireland.

 

Q: If I am a tourist visitor (i.e., not legally resident in ROI) but travelling from ROI to NI will I need an ETA even if there are no physical land border checks?

A: The UK Government remains committed to the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and in support of this ensuring there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. 

As now, the UK will not operate routine immigration controls on journeys from within the CTA, with no immigration controls whatsoever on the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border.

However, as is currently the case, individuals arriving in the UK, including those crossing the land border into Northern Ireland, will need to continue to enter in line with the UK’s immigration framework, including the requirement to obtain an ETA.

Visa nationals are already required to obtain a visa for the UK when travelling via Ireland, in order to lawfully enter the UK. This is a well-established requirement, and we are simply extending this same principle to individuals requiring an ETA.

Nationals of countries that require an ETA must obtain an ETA when visiting the UK, including when entering the UK by crossing the land border into Northern Ireland via Ireland.

 

• Can you signpost me to information explaining how this will impact residents and citizens of Ireland please – who needs to apply for an ETA when travelling within the CTA?
• Our ETA Partner Pack contains an Ireland factsheet, additional information can be found here on GOV.UK

 

Q: Could you clarify how long an artist from Europe could travel to the UK on an ETA? I am specifically looking for context on artist residencies - i.e. what route would an artist take if they were coming to the UK for three months for an artist residency that they’re being paid for?

A: Artists are able to use the Temporary Work – Creative Worker route if they have a certificate of sponsorship from a registered sponsor. If they are coming for up to three months, they can use the Creative Worker visa concession and are not required to apply for a visa prior to coming to the UK if they are a non-visa national and have an ETA.

If they are wanting to come for longer than three months, they can apply for a visa prior to travelling to the UK. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/creative-worker-visa.

 

Q: Since leaving the EU, processing times for documentation relating to cross border administration, e.g., visa’s A1 forms.  The presentation notes a 3-day turnaround for an ETA application, how achievable is this?

A: Applicants will usually get a decision within three working days: with many customers receiving a quicker result.

The application decision can take longer if we need to make further checks.