The United Kingdom’s (UK’s) Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is a new digital travel permit scheme for all travelers who can visit the UK without a visa. Non-visa travelers must apply for the ₤10-permit online and receive it before visiting the UK.
The ETA scheme is designed to improve border security while streamlining travel for low-risk individuals. It allows the government to pre-screen travelers before they arrive and track their entry and exit from the country.
The UK and the Republic of Ireland have a long and intertwined history. Here, we discuss how it affects travel between Ireland and the UK.
1. Irish citizens traveling to the UK do not need an ETA.
Irish citizens will not be required to present an ETA when coming to the UK, thanks to the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangement.
For the same reason, citizens of the Crown Dependencies Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man are also exempted from the UK ETA scheme.
The UK, Ireland, and the three territories are all part of the CTA.
Ireland shares a border with Northern Ireland, which is one of the UK’s constituent countries, along with England, Wales, and Scotland.
The Crown Dependencies, officially known as the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Bailiwick of Jersey, and the Isle of Man, are self-governing islands.
Guernsey and Jersey are collectively known as the Channel Islands, as both are found in the English Channel. On the other hand, the Isle of Man is between Great Britain and Ireland in the Irish Sea.
The Crown Dependencies are not part of the UK, but the British government is responsible for their defense and international relations. They are also neither members of the EU nor part of the Commonwealth of Nations.
The CTA arrangement
The ETA exemption for citizens of Ireland and the Crown Dependencies is rooted in the CTA arrangement, a longstanding agreement between the UK, Ireland, and the Crown Dependencies.
The CTA allows unrestricted movement of people between England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man.
Citizens of these countries and territories can travel within the CTA without immigration controls or the need for visas, ETAs, or even passports.
The arrangement also grants all citizens almost equal rights in terms of residence, access to work, healthcare, and other public services.
The CTA was established before either the UK or Ireland became members of the EU and operated independently of EU free movement rules. When the UK left the EU in 2020, the CTA arrangement remained in effect.
2. Non-Irish residents of Ireland traveling to the UK may be exempt from the ETA scheme.
The Ireland exemption to the UK ETA scheme is extended to non-Irish citizens who are residents of Ireland only if they meet three conditions:
- They must not need a visa to visit the UK. The country that issued their passport must have a visa waiver status with the UK.
- They must be a legal resident of the Republic of Ireland. They must be able to show evidence or proof that they are lawful residents of Ireland.
- They must travel to the UK via the CTA. This means they are coming to the UK via Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.
If a non-Irish resident of Ireland meets only one or two of the conditions listed above, they must apply for and obtain an ETA before visiting the UK.
3. Non-visa nationals in Ireland traveling to the UK must obtain an ETA before their trip to the UK.
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Non-visa travelers in Ireland who are planning to visit the UK must obtain an ETA for their trip. This will be required whether they board a plane or ferry to England, Wales, and Scotland or cross the land border to Northern Ireland.
There are typically no immigration checks between the CTA countries and territories. However, it is customary for the UK to carry out border checks at the first point of entry to the CTA. The UK government can also conduct intelligence-based border controls on individuals arriving in the UK from within the CTA.
While CTA citizens are not required to carry a passport when traveling within the CTA, they are advised to always have an identification card. Carriers will typically ask for this before boarding.
Frequently Asked Questions on the UK ETA and the Irish exemption
Below are common questions some of you may have about traveling to the UK from Ireland and the Crown Dependencies.
Are Irish citizens required to have an ETA before traveling to Northern Ireland?
Irish citizens are exempt from the ETA for travels to any part of the UK. Other CTA citizens of Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man are also exempted.
Non-Irish citizens living in the Republic of Ireland will also not be required to present an ETA when visiting the UK as long as they do not need a visa to visit the UK, travel to the UK via the CTA, and can prove they are legal residents of Ireland.
Other exemptions to the ETA requirement are those with British and British Overseas Territory Citizen (BOTC) passports, as well as those with an immigration status or settlement status in the UK.
The UK ETA will be mandatory for all other visa-exempt nationals planning short visits to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Non-visa-travelers will still need an appropriate visa for work and extended stays in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
What do Irish citizens need to enter the UK?
Due to the CTA, there are no routine checks for individuals traveling between Ireland and the UK.
However, when boarding a plane or ferry to England, Wales, and Scotland, travelers will most likely be asked to show proof of identity or Irish citizenship. Travelers can present an Irish passport, passport card, or other documents that prove they are Irish citizens.
The land border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is open. Travelers typically do not have to show identity documents when crossing the border. Still, carrying a passport or other proof of identity and citizenship is recommended.
Will foreigners living in Ireland require a UK ETA?
Non-Irish citizens residing in Ireland will not need a UK ETA only if all of the following apply:
- They are legal residents in Ireland.
- They do not need a visa to enter the UK.
- They travel to the UK via the CTA (Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man).
If they do not fulfill all three conditions, they must have an ETA before traveling to the UK.
Non-visa nationals who are lawful Ireland residents need an ETA if they travel to the UK from outside the CTA.
Foreigners who are legal residents of Ireland but need a visa to visit the UK must still obtain one before their trip.
How can I prove that I am a legal resident of Ireland?
Ireland residents aged 16 and older must show original and valid documents issued by the Irish government to prove they are legal residents of the country. Any of the following documents are accepted as proof of legal residency in Ireland:
- Irish driving license
- Irish learner permit
- medical card
- GP visit card
- European Health Insurance Card
- Irish Residence Permit
- Permanent Residence Certificate
- National Age Card
Children under 16 do not need to provide evidence of legal residency in Ireland. However, border officers may question the children or an adult traveling with them to determine whether they are residents.
I am a legal resident of Ireland. Can I cross the land border to Northern Ireland without a visa?
If you are a legal resident of Ireland and do not need a visa to visit the UK, you do not need an ETA if you travel within the CTA. You can continue entering and crossing the border to Northern Ireland without an ETA or visa.
The ETA only applies to people who can visit the UK without a visa. If you need a visa to visit the UK, the ETA scheme does not apply to you.
Visa nationals will still need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa or Transit visa for short trips to the UK. They must apply for a Temporary Creative Work visa to perform creative work for less than three months.
The UK visa application will remain unchanged when the ETA scheme is introduced. Those who intend to work or stay for extended visits still need an appropriate UK Visa.
Do tourists from the Republic of Ireland need an ETA to visit Northern Ireland?
Tourists in the Republic of Ireland who plan to cross the border and visit Northern Ireland or any destination on the island of Great Britain will need a UK ETA if they do not need a visa to enter the UK.
Northern Ireland officials and travel industry experts have urged the UK government to grant exemptions to tourists visiting Northern Ireland via the Republic of Ireland if they stay for less than a week.
However, the UK Home Office remained firm in that doing so defeats the purpose of the ETA scheme and creates a gap in its aim to secure and strengthen the UK border. Still, it added that it constantly reviews the ETA policy to improve the system.