The new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is the UK’s equivalent to the US ESTA.
What is the UK ETA Scheme?
People visiting the UK who do not need to apply for a visitor visa have to obtain an ETA approval before travelling. This includes for example people from the US, the EU (except Ireland)/EEA/Switzerland, Australia and Canada among many other countries. Anyone who holds a UK visa before travelling to the UK will not need an ETA approval.
For most people, applying for an ETA will be nothing more than an extra piece of admin to take care of before travelling. It will be important to be on top of this to avoid impacts to urgent travel.
However, for some people it will cause significant difficulties. In particular where someone has a criminal conviction or an adverse immigration history which may lead to an application for an ETA being unsuccessful.
If the ETA is refused this will mean the person has to apply for a visitor visa. This is likely to be complex and time consuming. It will be important to take advice on the impact of any previous criminal convictions and/or adverse UK immigration history on a visit visa application.
We will keep this page updated when further information and plans for the implementation of the ETA scheme are released. For further information please read our frequently asked questions on the ETA scheme.
How can an immigration lawyer help with the UK ETA scheme
Our immigration team has specialist experience in obtaining visa approvals where the applicant has criminal convictions and/or a challenging immigration history.
Sometimes we can assist in making representations to the Home Office that a case working error has occurred. Sometimes it may be necessary to formally challenge a decision, including by way of judicial review.
For complex cases with a higher risk of refusal, we will advise you whether a barrister should also be involved in the advice and we have well established relationships with leading counsel.
Even where the Immigration Rules say that in the circumstances an application must be refused on a mandatory basis, we have had success in obtaining approvals of visit visa applications.
Uniquely, we regularly work alongside our market-leading criminal litigation team who can advise in parallel in relation to any ongoing UK criminal proceedings and provide advice and we have good relationships internationally should we need further information about the impact of an overseas conviction.
Travel to the EU
The EU is developing a similar scheme to the ETA. It’s called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026. The exact start date is currently unknown.
It will apply to nationals of non-EU/EEA/Swiss countries who are able to enter the EU visa-free. It will apply to British citizens.
Anyone with a criminal conviction could be refused an ETIAS travel authorisation. Equally, anyone who is being investigated by the police and invited to accept a caution should take advice from our immigration and criminal defence teams as it could affect their ability to apply in the future for ETIAS approval and the ability to travel to the EU.
We will be placing further information about the ETIAS on this website as and when it is released.
Examples of our work
We assist in all aspects of UK immigration advice related to the ETA scheme, including for example advising on:
- Providing strategic advice to individuals on their potential options for entering the UK
- How to complete an ETA request
- The risks of refusal in an ETA request
- The options available if an ETA is refused, including visitor visa applications and the likely risks of refusal
- Full assistance with visitor visa applications including advising on the rules, the documentary requirements, the application process and timing
- Specialist advice around dealing with criminality issues in visitor visa applications, including how best to mitigate the chances of refusal
- Issuing judicial review proceedings against the Home Office
- Working with our criminal litigation team in relation to any ongoing UK criminal investigations and criminal law matters
Marcia Longdon
Partner
Katie Newbury
Partner
Nicolas Rollason (Français)
Partner and Head of Department
Kim Vowden (Français)
Partner
Kim Vowden
Partner
Ilda de Sousa
Partner
Elspeth Guild
Legal Counsel
Emma Fowler
Senior Associate (FCILEx)
Robert Houchill
Senior Associate
Oliver Oldman
Senior Associate
Josephine Burnett
Associate
Emma Dauriac (Francais)
Associate
Emma Dauriac
Associate
Elli Graves
Associate
Kate Harding
Associate
Bukunmi Osuntoki
Associate
Tim Richards
Professional Support Lawyer
Vandana Ruda
Associate
Isabelle Turner
Associate
Abigail Watt
Associate
Melissa Field
Senior Paralegal
Bethany Hall
Trainee Solicitor
Jemima Watkins
Paralegal
Ellis Chan
Immigration Advisor
Shahirur Choudhury
Immigration Advisor
Nardos Engeda
Immigration Advisor (Global Lead)
Olivia James
Senior Immigration Advisor
Radhika Patel
Immigration Advisor
Alexandria Shahade
Immigration Specialist
Jacklyn Widjaja
Immigration Advisor
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