Travel to UK: Passport, ETA and visa

The United Kingdom (UK) has not been a member of the European Union since 2020, nor is it part of the Schengen Area. The primary document required for traveling to the UK in most cases is a passport, along with the gradually introduced ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization).

In our article, you will learn whether and for whom it is possible to travel with just a passport, and in which cases an ETA or visa is necessary.

In most cases, a passport is required when traveling to the United Kingdom. However, the identity document that allows you to enter the UK depends on your citizenship.

You can enter the UK with one of the following identity documents:

• a passport
• an Irish passport card
• a national identity card issued by a European Union country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, if you’re eligible to use one

Your identity document should be valid for the whole of your stay.

If you’re travelling with a passport or national identity card, it should be registered on your UK Visas and Immigration account if any of the following are true:

• you have settled or pre-settled status
• you used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document when applying for a visa

You may be delayed at the border if your passport or national identity card is not registered on your UK Visas and Immigration account.

You cannot use a national identity card from an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein to enter the UK unless you:

• have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man’s settlement schemes,
• have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man,
• have a Frontier Worker permit,
• are an S2 Healthcare Visitor,
• are a Swiss national and have a Service Provider from Switzerland visa.

You can still use your EEA or Swiss national identity card to enter the UK if all of the following are true:

• you’ve applied for settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man’s settlement schemes
• you’ve been issued with confirmation your application is valid
• you’re not applying as a joining family member

You may also need to show evidence that you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020.

You must enter the UK with either:

• an EU Settlement Scheme family permit,
• a visa.

Your family permit or visa could be issued by the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.

You may also need a visa if you’re ‘transiting’ or travelling through the UK, for example, you’re changing flights at a UK airport.

If you need a visa, you’ll need to show your airline or transport provider (your ‘carrier’) either:

• a valid visa,
• a ‘visa exemption document’ such as a UK-issued biometric residence card or EU Settlement Scheme family permit.

Before you travel, check that your visa is valid and will not expire before you enter the UK.

The United Kingdom is gradually introducing the requirement for travelers to obtain an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), an additional document for those who do not need a visa.

1. Currently, citizens of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman must apply for an ETA before traveling to the UK.
2. Citizens of non-European countries that do not require a visa, including the USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Israel, will be required to have an ETA from January 8, 2025 (applications can be submitted starting November 27, 2024).
3. European citizens who do not require a visa will need to have an ETA starting April 2, 2025 (applications can be submitted from March 5, 2025). These countries include:
   • Poland,
   • European Union countries (excluding Ireland),
   • EFTA countries (Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein),
   • Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City.

This requirement also applies to children.

Full list of countries and dates related to the ETA requirement. (opens in a new tab)

You also do not need an ETA if you have any of these:

• a visa,
• permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme),
  
• a British or Irish passport,
• a British overseas territories citizen passport.

The ETA is valid for 2 years from issuance or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

You can get an ETA instead of a visa if you’re:

• coming to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study
• coming to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
• coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement
• transiting through the UK – including if you’re not going through UK border control

You can apply for an ETA fully online:

• using the UK ETA app,
• via the UK government website (opens in a new tab).

To apply, you will need:

• the passport you’ll travel with,
• photo of the face of the person applying,
• a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

You must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK, however you can travel to the UK while waiting for a decision.

Usually it takes three working days to get a decision.

The cost of the document is £10.

Depending on your nationality, you may be able to enter the UK and stay for up to 6 months without needing a visa (e.g., with a passport or an ETA document).

For longer stays, or if a visa is required for travelers with your nationality, you must apply for one.

A visa to the UK is required for citizens of countries such as Belarus, China, Egypt, India, Russia, and Sri Lanka. Check the government website to see if you need a visa to enter the UK. (opens in a new tab)

If you do need a visa, you must have it before starting your journey to the UK. The document must be valid for the entire duration of your stay.

During check-in, you may be required to present your visa or a document exempting you from the visa requirement (such as a biometric residence permit issued in the UK or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme).

You may be asked at the border to prove the relationship between yourself and any children traveling with you, if you do not seem to be the parent, for example, if you have a different surname.

You can prove this with:

• a birth or adoption certificate showing your relationship with the child,
• divorce or marriage certificates if you’re the parent but have a different surname from the child,
• a letter from the child’s parent giving permission for the child to travel with you and providing contact details, if you’re not the parent.

Planning a trip to the United Kingdom? Check out our flight offers to London and purchase your ticket at an attractive price!

The above information is based on source gov.co.uk (opens in a new tab) and is as of the date of the article update: 17 September 2024. 

Note: This document has been prepared for informational purposes only and does not constitute a legal interpretation of EU or UK legislation on UK immigration laws. Although the information has been prepared with due diligence, LOT Polish Airlines is not responsible for the completeness and compliance of the information provided with the actual and current scope of EU or UK immigration regulations. Before traveling to the UK, please verify the information provided against current EU or UK immigration regulations.