UK ETA Eligible Countries 2026:
All 85 Nationalities [Full List]

By the application-eta.uk Expert Team · Last updated: May 2026 · 5 min read

Search Your Nationality — UK ETA Eligibility Check Tool

Type your country name below to check instantly whether you need a UK ETA in 2026.

Full List — All UK ETA Eligible Countries 2026

The following 85 nationalities are required to obtain a UK ETA before travelling to or transiting through the United Kingdom. The list is current as of May 2026. Once you have confirmed your nationality is eligible, see our nationality-specific guides below for detailed information on costs, travel routes and practical considerations for your country.

🌍 Europe (35 countries)

🌎 Americas & Caribbean (18 countries)

🌏 Asia & Oceania (14 countries)

🌍 Gulf States (6 countries)

The Gulf Cooperation Council nations were among the very first to join the ETA scheme, replacing what was previously a Standard Visitor Visa requirement. For full details on costs, travel routes and specific considerations for each Gulf nation, see our complete Gulf states ETA guide.

🌍 Africa & Other (5 countries)

Guides by Nationality and Region

Once you have confirmed your country is eligible, the following nationality-specific guides cover everything you need to know — from the correct passport to use, to photo requirements, processing times, travel routes and the specific practical considerations that apply to your country. Each guide is tailored to the travel patterns, diaspora considerations and unique ETA questions that arise for travellers from that region.

Not sure whether your specific situation requires an ETA or a full visa? Our complete eligibility guide covers dual nationality, Settled Status, BN(O) passports, and every edge case. You can also compare the ETA vs a Standard Visitor Visa to understand the difference.

Who Does NOT Need a UK ETA

Countries Recently Removed from the UK ETA List

The following countries were initially included in the UK ETA scheme but have since been removed. Citizens of these countries now require a standard UK visa. The Home Office does not publish the criteria for these removals — they appear to be based on immigration risk assessments and bilateral diplomatic considerations. We update this page immediately whenever any nationality change is announced.

The UK Is Not Part of Schengen

The United Kingdom operates its own immigration system, entirely separate from the Schengen Area. This means that a Schengen visa — even a valid, multiple-entry one — gives you no right to enter the UK. Equally, EU and EEA citizens who travel freely within Schengen still need a UK ETA before boarding a flight, Eurostar or ferry to Britain.

The ETA is the UK’s equivalent of the ETIAS (the upcoming Schengen travel authorisation for non-EU nationals): a lightweight electronic pre-clearance linked to your passport, not a visa. If you are planning a trip that combines continental Europe and the UK, you must ensure you hold both the relevant Schengen authorisation for your European stays and a valid UK ETA for the British portion. These are processed independently — holding one does not automatically confer the other.

For travellers arriving by Eurostar from Paris or Brussels: the UK ETA is checked at the departure station in continental Europe (Paris Gare du Nord or Brussels-Midi), not at London St Pancras on arrival. Ensure your ETA is confirmed before you reach the Eurostar departure lounge. For travellers using ferry routes — Hook of Holland to Harwich, or DFDS Oslo to Newcastle — the ETA check occurs at the European port of departure. Full details on all transport modes and ETA verification are in our application and travel guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: UK Home Office — UK ETA eligible nationalities list (gov.uk/eta), May 2026 · Home Office Immigration System Statistics, February 2026 · GOV.UK — Changes to the UK ETA scheme, March 2026.