As of November 27, 2024, citizens from 48 non-European visa-exempt countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, and Japan, can now apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to visit the UK.
This addition follows the eligibility of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals, making travel to the UK more streamlined while enhancing border security.
The ETA will become mandatory for these travelers starting January 8, 2025, and for EU nationals from April 2, 2025, following an application period beginning on March 5, 2025. This digital travel requirement is part of the UK’s efforts to modernize entry processes while maintaining robust migration controls.
Record-Breaking ETA Applications and Nationality Rankings
By September 2024, the UK government reported receiving 608,886 ETA applications since the program’s launch in October 2023, with 601,858 applications approved. The system was initially introduced for Qatari nationals on October 25, 2023, and later extended to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan on February 1, 2024. However, since September 10, 2024, Jordanian nationals have been required to apply for a visa instead of an ETA.
Saudi Arabia leads the ranking of ETA applicants with 211,273 applications, followed by Jordan with 165,489 applications and Kuwait with 96,427 applications. As more nationalities become eligible for the ETA, these figures are expected to shift rapidly.
Migration Trends and Visa Issuance in 2024
The UK recorded 130.9 million arrivals in 2024, with 55% of these being British nationals returning home. The remaining 45% comprised foreign visitors entering for various purposes, including tourism, work, study, or family visits. While there was a slight decrease in arrivals compared to previous years, largely attributed to a reduction in unauthorized entries and adjustments in migration policies, the overall influx highlights the UK’s diverse migration flows.
In addition to ETA applications, the UK issued 2.1 million visitor visas in the year ending September 2024, marking an 11% increase from 2023 but 12% below pre-pandemic levels. The government also granted 1.1 million non-visit or transit visas, including:
* Work visas: 453,056
* Study visas: 443,854
* Family visit visas: 86,942
* Other categories: 90,709, including the visa program for Ukrainians (24,130).
The UK government explained that the number of visas granted is significantly lower than the total number of arrivals, as many travelers do not require a visa or ETA and some enter the UK multiple times on the same visa.
A Closer Look at Irregular Arrivals
In the year ending September 2024, 36,949 irregular arrivals were recorded, reflecting ongoing challenges in managing unauthorized migration. Despite this, the introduction of the ETA system and the government’s broader visa initiatives aim to balance ease of travel with robust security measures.
