UK ETA
What is a UK ETA for Canadian Citizens?
The United Kingdom (UK) electronic travel authorization (ETA) for Canadian citizens is a travel permission that allows nationals of Canada to travel to the UK for specific purposes. It is a digital document that is linked to the holder’s passport. It allows them to travel to the UK, but does not guarantee entry into the country – this is decided at the border by the appropriate immigration officials.
The UK ETA was initially launched on October 25, 2023 and only available to nationals from Qatar. In February 2024, the UK government extended the eligibility to apply for a UK ETA to nationals from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. However the most recent electronic visa news is that the UK government is further expanding the reach of the UK ETA. On November 27, 2024, the UK ETA will open up to 49 non-visa nationalities, including Canadians. On March 5, 2025, it will be extended to 34 European nationalities who can travel to the UK visa-free.
Starting January 8, 2025, all Canadian citizens obtain an ETA for the UK from Canada in order to travel to the UK. Applications open November 27, 2024, giving Canadian nationals plenty of time to obtain their UK ETA if they are traveling on or shortly after the January 8 deadline.
It’s important to note that the UK ETA is not a visa but rather a travel permission that is obtained once and remains valid for two years. It allows for short stays of up to 6 months for specific purposes. These purposes include:
- Traveling to the UK for short visits of up to 6 months for tourism, a short study course, visiting family or friends, or business trips.
- Traveling to the UK on a Creative Worker visa concession. This includes anyone in the creative industries such as artists, digital creators, dancers, or performers.
- Traveling to the UK for a paid engagement such as giving a talk or participating in an educational event.
- Transiting through the UK. This applies to those who do not cross border control as well.
The UK ETA is very advantageous for Canadian citizens. The UK ETA is a multiple-entry travel permission, offering Canadian citizens more flexibility to plan their trips to the UK over the two year validity period. The UK ETA can be obtained quickly and does not require as much planning as a regular visa. The application process can be easily completed online by following a few simple steps and uploading the required documents. The maximum turnaround time for the application is 3 weeks, but most UK ETA applications are processed in just a few hours. Overall, the UK ETA also increases the safety and security of Canadian citizens traveling to the UK, by ensuring that all non-visa nationals are pre-vetted before arriving to the UK.
Key Statistics
Canadian Visitors to the United Kingdom: Key Statistics
Canadian citizens contribute a significant amount to the UK tourism industry. In 2023, around 1 million Canadian nationals traveled to the UK. They spent a record £966 per visit, with a total expenditure of £969.6 million.
The average age of Canadian nationals traveling to the UK tends to be older than other nationalities with 31% of Canadian visitors aged 55 and above (other nationalities tend to average around 21%). Around 50% of Candian visitors to the UK come from Ontario and 6 out of 10 were traveling to the UK for at least the second time.
Canadian citizens travel to the UK for a variety of reasons. Around 43% of Canadian visitors in 2023 were visiting friends or family, while 40% traveled to the UK for tourism. Canadians on holiday tend to enjoy visiting museums, shopping, seeing films, and attending music events.
Each week, there are around 123 flight departures from Canada to the UK. Six Canadian airports have direct flights to five major airports in the UK. Most (91%) Canadian nationals travel to the UK by air, with a small percentage (6%) arriving via the underwater Channel Tunnel. London Heathrow and London Gatwick are the two most popular airports for Canadian visitors. Mid-summer is the most popular time for Canadians to travel to the UK, with nearly double the amount of visitors than in mid-winter.
Eligible
UK ETA: Are You Eligible as a Canadian Citizen?
Canadian citizens can apply for most UK visas from Canada, and the ETA is no exception. They can apply for the UK ETA online provided they are eligible to do so. There are no restrictions based on age, ethnicity, disability, or religion, but there are some limitations for applicants based on immigration status and criminal background.
The following are some of the basic eligibility criteria for Canadian citizens seeking to obtain their UK ETA:
Valid citizenship
Applicants must be a citizen of Canada or one of the other eligible countries for the UK ETA. They must be able to provide a valid passport or other travel document during the application process and at the UK border.
Duration of trave
Applicants must not plan to overstay the UK ETA. The ETA allows Canadian citizens to stay for up to 6 months. If the applicant wants to travel to the UK for more than 6 months, they must apply for another type of visa.
Clean criminal record
Applicants with a clean criminal record will have an easier time obtaining their UK ETA. However, it is possible for those with minor convictions to be approved for an ETA as well. In general, an application can be refused if the applicant has either:
- been convicted of a crime in the UK or abroad and received a sentence of 12 months or more.
- been convicted of a crime in the UK or abroad within the last 12 months from the date of application.
Required
What Documents Are Required for a UK ETA Application?
In order to successfully complete the UK ETA application process, Canadian nationals must be able to provide certain documents. The following are mandatory for all Candian citizens who want to obtain a UK ETA:
Passport
All applicants for the UK ETA must be able to provide a valid passport. This will be uploaded during the application process and should be the same passport used to travel to the UK. For Canadian nationals, this would be a valid Canadian passport.
Personal photo
During the UK ETA application process, applicants must upload a photo of themselves that meets the standard size and format criteria for UK applications. It must be at least 600 x 750 pixels and between 50 KB and 10 MB. The photo must be clear, unedited, and feature the applicant’s entire head and shoulders.
Payment method
In order to submit the UK ETA application, Canadian citizens must pay the application fee. This can be paid online during the application process using a valid credit or debit card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.
Email address
Applicants must provide a valid working email address during the application process. The final application decision will be sent to this address so it’s vital that it is working throughout the application process.
UK ETA
How to Apply for a UK ETA
The UK ETA application process is very straightforward for Canadian citizens. It can be completed entirely online by following a few simple steps. The following are the steps to complete the UK ETA application online:
All Canadian applicants must complete the UK ETA application form online. They must complete all the required biographic and contact details accurately.
During the application process, applicants will be asked to upload a copy of their Canadian passport and a personal photograph that meets the size and format guidelines.
Applicants must pay the visa application fees in order for their UK ETA application to be processed. This fee can be paid using a valid credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
After the application is submitted and the fee is paid, the applicant can submit their application. While the official processing time for a UK ETA is 3 working days, most applicants receive a decision within just a few hours. The decision (approval or rejection) will be sent to the valid email address provided by the applicant during the application process.
Processing Time
UK ETA Costs and Processing Time for Canadian Applicants
The UK ETA application is £75 for Canadian citizens. As service providers, we provide comprehensive application services and support for our clients. This fee includes the mandatory government application fee and our professional services fee.
The official processing time for the UK ETA for Canadian citizens is 3 working days. Most applicants will receive a decision within a few hours after submitting their application.
Validity
Validity and Duration of Stay
The UK ETA is valid for two years for all holders and allows for stays of up to 6 months. The UK ETA is a multiple entry visa, so holders can travel to the UK as much as they need, provided they adhere to the permitted duration of stay for the ETA.
A UK ETA cannot be renewed or extended. The ETA expires after two years or when the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Once the ETA expires, the holder must apply for a new ETA. If their passport expires, they should equally reapply for the ETA as it is digitally connected to the passport used during the application process.
Application
What to Do If Your UK ETA Application Is Denied
If a UK ETA application is denied, the applicant should not immediately give up. There are other ways to travel to the UK and enjoy all the country offers. While the UK ETA will not available to them at that point, other travel permissions can be obtained instead. This includes the UK tourist visa (Visitor Visa), which allows for short stays of 3 or 6 months, depending on the applicant’s nationality. Applicants can apply for the UK Visitor Visa from Canada by following the steps online.
Requirements
Entry Requirements After Obtaining a UK ETA
If successful, Canadian citizens who obtain a UK ETA are eligible to travel to the UK, which is great news! However, there are some additional considerations to keep in mind when traveling to the UK from Canada.
The UK ETA allows for travelers to arrive in the UK but does not guarantee entry into the country. Holders of a UK ETA should expect to go through border control upon arrival. They must present the same passport they used during the application process to the border official. They may also be asked some questions related to their stay in the UK. They may also be asked to provide additional documentation.
Holders of the UK ETA are only permitted to engage in specific activities such as tourism, visiting family and friends, short business engagements, or permitted paid engagements. They are not permitted to work or enrol in study courses that last over 6 months.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An ETA is a travel permission that is digitally linked to the holder’s passport. it’s not a visa, but it does grant the holder permission to travel to the specified country.
The UK ETA was previously only required for nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. However, the UK government is extending the UK ETA eligibility for nationals of 49 non visa countries as of November 27, 2024. On March 5, 2025, they will be extending it to a further 34 European nationalities.
To find out whether or not you need an ETA to travel to the UK, it’s essential to check the official lists of all eligible nationalities.
Citizens of Canada, the United States, and many other countries will be eligible to obtain a UK ETA as soon as November 27, 2024.
To find out whether or not you need an ETA to travel to the UK, it’s essential to check the official lists of all eligible nationalities.
Citizens of Canada, the United States, and many other countries will be eligible to obtain a UK ETA as soon as November 27, 2024.
Before November 27, 2024, all Canadian passport holders could enter the UK visa-free. However, as of that date, all Canadian passport holders will be required to obtain a UK ETA before traveling to the UK. This is a multiple-entry travel permission that is valid for two years and allows for short stays of up to 6 months.
A UK ETA can be obtained easily online by following the application steps. Applicants will complete the biographic and contact details, upload the required documents, and pay the visa fee using a valid form of payment (credit/debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay). Applicants should include a valid email address to receive their application decision as soon as it is sent out.
The UK ETA is valid for two years and allows for stays of up to 6 months. The ETA is digitally linked to the holder’s passport, so if the passport expires before the two years are up, it will become invalid.
We will assist you in every step
Contact us and speak to our independent advisors who can assist you with all questions regarding UK Electronic Travel Authorisation.