In 2024, Brazilian citizens will require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before traveling to the United Kingdom (UK). It is a digital permit that is mandatory for citizens of countries who can visit England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland without a visa for short trips. This includes the citizens of Brazil.
This guide has everything Brazilians need to know about the UK ETA, including requirements, the application process, travel expectations, and more.
Why is the UK ETA being introduced for Brazilian citizens?
The UK ETA aims to improve the security of the UK border and allow the government more control and oversight over individuals entering the country. It will make it easier to prevent illegal immigration, thwart organized crime syndicates, and identify potential national security threats before they arrive in the country.
The ETA is also designed to improve border control and streamline the immigration process for pre-verified, low-risk travelers.
For Brazilian citizens, the UK ETA presents benefits that include the following:
- It is quick and easy to apply and get an approved ETA.
- It is more affordable than similar digital travel permits imposed by other countries.
- You only need to apply for an ETA every two years — not every time you visit the UK.
How the UK ETA system will affect Brazilian travelers
Currently, Brazilians do not need an ETA to travel to the UK. However, once it is open to citizens of Brazil in 2024, they must apply and obtain an approved UK ETA before traveling to the UK. It is mandatory whether you are arriving on a flight, on a ship (e.g., as part of a cruise), or over land, such as through the rail tunnel connecting Britain and France.
A UK ETA is valid for the following travel purposes:
- Short-term stay for less than six months (180 days) for tourism, short-course study, visiting friends and family, and permitted business activities and medical treatments.
- Short-term stay for up to three months (90 days) on the Creative Worker visa concession
- Transiting through the UK (i.e., changing planes), whether or not passing through UK border control
To be eligible for an ETA, Brazilians must meet the following conditions:
- Be a national of a country that has a visa-waiver status with the UK. Brazil is included in the list of countries whose citizens need an ETA to travel to the UK.
- Have a biometric passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended departure date from the UK.
- Do not intend to stay, work, or study in the UK for longer than six months.
- Do not have a criminal record and past immigration breaches in the UK or elsewhere.
All travelers, including children and babies, will need an ETA before traveling to the UK. Parents and guardians can apply for an ETA on their behalf.
Individuals with a history of immigration breaches or criminal convictions or who have been sentenced to prison for more than 12 months in the UK or elsewhere may be denied an ETA. They may consider getting a UK visa instead.
Brazilian citizens planning to stay in the UK for more than six months or to work or live there permanently will still need an appropriate UK visa. The new ETA system does not affect these travelers.
Requirements to apply for a UK ETA for Brazilian citizens
Brazilian citizens eligible for a UK ETA must prepare the following application requirements:
- A valid biometric passport issued by Brazil, whose citizens do not need a visa to travel to the UK for short trips.
- A recent digital passport photo
- A valid email address
- A working electronic payment method, such as credit or debit card, Apply Pay, or Google Pay
Applying for UK ETA
Brazilian citizens can apply online for a UK ETA through the official UK government website or app. The UK ETA application process only takes a few minutes to complete. It is online or paperless, so in-person visits to consulates or visa offices are unnecessary.
Ready all your requirements before you start the application process. Below is a step-by-step guide on how Brazilians can apply for an ETA.
- Upload or take a photo of the passport you will use to travel to the UK. Ensure you include the picture and the two lines of numbers and letters at the bottom.
- Upload a recent passport photo or take a picture using your device’s camera, if it has one. Images should be saved as a jpeg file or with the file extension .jpg. Children aged nine and under will not need to upload a passport photo.
- Fill in all the required information. These include personal information (i.e., name, birth date), passport details, employment details, home address, and contact information.
- Answer questions on security and eligibility. Like any other UK visitor, Brazilian ETA applicants must truthfully disclose criminal records, past immigration offenses, and any associations with or membership in any unlawful or illegal groups or organizations.
- Pay for the UK ETA application online. A UK ETA application costs £10 each. To submit the application, you must pay the fee online using a credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
After submitting the UK ETA online application, you will receive a confirmation through the email you provided.
Tips for applying for a UK ETA
Applying for a UK ETA is simple enough, but there is still room for errors. To avoid common mistakes, follow these guidelines for a swift and efficient UK ETA online application.
- Provide or capture clear, high-quality photos of your passport and yourself. Ensure the images comply with passport photo specifications and are in full color without filters or effects.
- Make sure you provide correct data and are as accurate as possible. Giving false or incorrect information and even withholding information could result in delays or your application being refused.
- Check beforehand if your online payment method works and if you have enough funds to pay for the application online.
- Be sure to review and double-check the data you provided in your ETA application before you submit.
Should Brazilian travelers need to correct mistakes in their ETA application, they can quickly do this by re-submitting the application and paying the fee again.
Processing and receiving the ETA for Brazilian nationals
Upon submitting a UK ETA online application, the system will cross-verify the details submitted against several security databases to check if the applicant is qualified for an ETA.
It typically takes three days (72 hours) for applicants to receive a decision on their ETA application via the email address provided. Many travelers receive a decision within minutes of submitting their application. Still, some applications may take more than three days to receive a decision.
Brazilian citizens are recommended to apply for a UK ETA before booking their travel to the UK to prevent delays or other issues.
If your ETA was denied, you can submit a new ETA application and pay the fee again. However, it would be best to address why you were refused an ETA in your previous application.
Being denied an ETA does not mean you cannot travel to the UK. You can still apply for the appropriate UK visa. However, getting a visa is more complicated and may take longer, so you need to adjust your travel plans accordingly.
Traveling with a UK ETA
A UK ETA is digitally linked to an individual’s passport. It is valid for two years, allowing multiple short visits lasting up to six months per visit. Brazilian travelers must apply for a new ETA after two years or when their passport expires, whichever comes first, to continue being allowed to travel to the UK.
Departure to the UK
Since it is an electronic document, you don’t need to bring a physical copy of your ETA. For travelers with multiple passports, make sure you travel to the UK with the same Brazilian passport you used in your application.
Before boarding your plane, ship, or train, carriers will check if you have the appropriate permission-to-travel document by scanning your passport. They will only allow boarding to Brazilian travelers who can present an approved UK ETA or visa. Those still waiting on the decision on their ETA applications will also not be allowed to board.
Arriving in the UK
An ETA does not guarantee entry into the UK. Upon arrival, Brazilian citizens with an approved UK ETA must still submit their identity documents to the UK Border Force or go through an electronic passport gate (eGate), if available.
Be prepared to show proof of onward travel or a ticket to leave the UK within six months of arrival. If asked, Brazilian travelers must also show evidence that they have enough funds to support themselves during their entire stay in the UK and their journey home.
Even if you have an ETA, you may still be refused entry into the UK if you fail a border check or meet other entry conditions.
Once past the border security, Brazilian citizens with an approved ETA can freely travel between the UK’s four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Brazilian visitors can travel via trains, ferries, and local flights within the UK. Before boarding a ferry or an internal flight within the UK, they only need to present an ID, usually a passport or driving license.
A UK ETA is not valid in Ireland or other European Countries.
A UK ETA does not allow entry to the Republic of Ireland and other European countries. The UK is not a member of the European Union or the Schengen Common Travel Zone.
Brazilians visiting Ireland or other European countries must inquire about the country’s entry requirements before booking their travel.
Travelers can check the UK ETA FAQ page for more information.