We have recently been successful in securing our client with their visitor visa following their ETA refusal.  An ETA is a digital permission to travel . An ETA is normally refused where any errors; omissions; false information; previous criminal convictions or other irregularities are submitted in the application which leads to a delay or a denial of your UK ETA.

An ETA gives you permission to travel to the UK however it does not guarantee entry to the UK and you will still need to either see a Border Force Officer or use an ePassport gate.

Beginning on January 8, 2025, all U.S. passport holders will be required to have a valid ETA to enter or transit through the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland.

From 2 April 2025, European nationals planning to visit the UK for tourism, business, study (for up to six months), or other permitted short-term activities must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel. This new requirement applies to nationals from the European Economic Area (EEA), including EU countries, as well as Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City.

Crucially there are exceptions including British nationals having EU residency cards like the TIE in Spain. British and Irish citizens are also exempted from the ETA scheme as well as those who have a UK residency permit.

With an ETA you can do the following:

• come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study
• come to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker concession
• come to the UK for a permitted paid engagement
• transit through a UK Airport if you will pass through border control – check with your airline if you are not sure

With an ETA you cannot:

• stay in the UK for longer than 6 months
• do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you are doing a permitted paid engagement or event or work on the Creative Worker visa concession
• claim public funds (benefits)
• live in the UK through frequent or successive visits
• marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership – you need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa.

An ETA currently costs £10 however it is expected that the cost of registration will rise to £16 later this year.

If your ETA has been refused please contact us at Muldoon Britton Immigration for advice and assistance.