Taiwanese nationals have benefited from visa-free travel to the United Kingdom (UK) since 2009. However, in 2024, Taiwanese citizens traveling to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETsA). The British government’s new digital travel permit system is for foreigners who do not need a visa to travel to the UK. This includes the Taiwanese.
Learn more about the UK ETA for Taiwanese citizens, including eligibility, prerequisites, the application process, and its impact on travel to the UK.
Why the UK ETA is being introduced for Taiwanese travelers
The ETA is part of a broader UK government initiative towards a “digital by default” border and improving its security. It allows the British government more control and oversight over individuals entering the country. It aims to help deter illegal immigrants and organized crime groups from entering the country and identify other potential threats to national security before they arrive on UK soil.
The UK ETA is also designed to improve border control and streamline the immigration process for pre-verified, low-risk travelers.
For Taiwanese citizens, the 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 Taiwanese nationals
Currently, Taiwanese citizens do not need an ETA to visit the UK. Once the system is open for Taiwanese travelers in 2024, they must apply and obtain an approved UK ETA before traveling to the UK. It is mandatory whether arriving by air, sea, or land.
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, Taiwanese citizens must meet the following conditions:
- Be a national of a country that has a visa-waiver status with the UK. Taiwan 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 UK-bound Taiwanese travelers, including children and babies, need an ETA before their trip. Parents and guardians can apply for an ETA on their behalf.
Individuals with past immigration breaches, a criminal record, or who have served a prison sentence of more than 12 months in the UK or any other country may not be eligible for an ETA. These individuals may consider applying for a UK visa instead.
Taiwanese citizens planning to work or stay in the UK for more than six months must still apply for a UK visa. The UK visa application and processing will remain unchanged for Taiwanese citizens even after implementing the ETA system.
Requirements for UK ETA for Taiwanese travelers
Once the ETA is open to Taiwanese travelers, those eligible for a UK ETA must prepare the following application requirements:
- A biometric passport issued by Taiwan, 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 the UK ETA for Taiwanese citizens
UK ETA applications for Taiwanese citizens will be online through the official UK government website or app. There is no need to visit consulates or visa offices.
Completing the ETA application should take about 15 minutes if you have all the requirements ready. Here is a step-by-step guide on how Taiwanese travelers 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. It must be an original photo and not a screenshot. Images should be saved as a jpeg file or with the file extension .jpg. Children aged nine and under will not need a scan or photo of their faces.
- Fill in all the required information. These include personal information (i.e., name, birth date), passport details, employment details, home address, and contact information. The ETA application does not require travel details or financial requirements. However, Taiwanese travelers must ensure that their stay in the UK is at most six months and they have enough funds to cover all travel expenses to avoid any problems.
- Answer questions on security and eligibility. Like any other UK visitor, Taiwanese 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 complete the application, you must pay the fee online using a credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
Upon successfully submitting your UK ETA online application, you will receive a confirmation via email.
Tips for applying for a UK ETA for Taiwanese travelers
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 accurate and truthful information. Any incorrect or false data and even withholding relevant information may result in the denial of the application.
- Check beforehand if your online payment method works and you have enough funds to pay for the application online.
- Be sure to review and double-check your application details before you submit.
Should Taiwanese travelers need to correct mistakes in their ETA application, they can quickly do this by re-submitting the application and paying the fee again. However, this is only recommended if the applicant is confident that minor mistakes were made and are the cause of the initial rejection.
Processing the UK ETA for Taiwanese citizens
Upon submitting a UK ETA application, travelers’ information will be thoroughly examined to ensure they meet all the eligibility criteria. This involves verifying details against multiple security databases to identify any discrepancies or potential security issues that may arise in the application.
Applicants should receive a decision on their ETA application within 72 hours of submission. In most cases, travelers receive their approved ETA within minutes of submission. However, it is essential to note that certain applications may take longer than three days to process.
Like other visa-exempt nationals, Taiwanese nationals are advised to apply for their ETA before booking their UK trip to avoid delays or other issues.
If an ETA application is denied, it doesn’t mean the applicant is completely banned from visiting the UK. They can apply for a UK visa, a longer and more complex process that may affect your UK travel dates. It might be essential to adjust travel plans accordingly.
Traveling With the UK ETA for Taiwanese nationals
The UK ETA is digitally linked to an individual’s passport. It is valid for two years, allowing multiple short visits of up to six months per visit. Taiwanese citizens 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
Taiwanese travelers heading to the UK must present the same passport used for the online ETA application. You cannot use a different one if you have multiple passports. It is an electronic document or digital permit, so there is no need to print it out.
Before boarding a carrier (i.e., plane, ship, or train), authorities will check if passengers have the appropriate permission-to-travel document by scanning their passports. They will only allow boarding to Taiwanese travelers who can present an approved UK ETA or visa. Individuals still waiting for a decision on their application will not be allowed to board.
Arriving in the UK
An ETA does not guarantee an individual’s permission to enter the UK. Taiwanese visitors with an approved UK ETA must submit their identity documents to the UK Border Force upon arrival.
Ensure you have the documentation to prove your onward travel plans if asked. This usually means showing a ticket to leave the UK within six months of arriving. It may also be necessary to demonstrate that you have enough funds to support yourself in the UK during your stay and return home.
Even if you have a UK ETA, you may still be turned away at the border if you fail a border check or do not meet other entry conditions.
Taiwanese travelers with an approved ETA who have passed through the border agency at entry can freely move between the UK’s four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Within the UK, Taiwanese visitors can use different modes of transport, such as trains, ferries, and local flights. They only need to present an ID, usually a passport or driving license, before boarding a ferry or an internal flight within the UK.
A UK ETA is not valid in Ireland or other European countries.
The ETA is only valid for travel within the UK. It cannot be used to enter the Republic of Ireland, a separate independent country, or any other European country. It’s important to note that the UK is not a part of the European Union or the Schengen Common Travel Zone.
Taiwanese travelers planning to visit Ireland or other European countries should check the entry requirements of their destination and ensure they have met them before booking their travel.
Travelers can check the FAQ page for more information on the UK ETA.