The United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorization (UK ETA) scheme allows the UK Government to vet and pre-screen non-visa nationals visiting the country. It helps track their entry and exit and identify potential threats before they arrive.
To do this, ETA applicants must apply for travel authorization online and provide personal and passport details. They must also answer security questions to determine their eligibility to travel to the UK.
Though it’s rare for non-visa nationals to be denied an ETA, it could happen. In such instances, they must apply for a UK visa instead. Here, we list the types of UK visa alternatives to an ETA.
UK ETA Visa Alternatives
Travelers who have been denied an ETA cannot appeal the decision administratively. They can only challenge the ETA refusal through a lengthy judicial review.
Another way to visit the UK when someone is denied an ETA is to apply for a UK visa. Knowing what ETA visa alternative to use depends on the traveler’s purpose of visiting the UK.
The ETA is required for non-visa nationals traveling to the UK for tourism, visiting family, permitted business activities, and short-course study.
It is also necessary for travelers transiting in the UK and those coming to the country under the Creative Worker visa concession.
With these purposes in mind, the ETA visa alternatives include the Standard Visitor visa, Transit visa, and Temporary Work visa.
| Standard Visitor Visa | Transit Visa | Creative Worker visa | |
| Purpose of visit | Tourism, visiting family and friends, permitted business activities, short-course study | Transiting through the UK | Temporary creative work in the UK |
| Length of staySix | 6 months | 48 hours | 12 months, or the duration indicated in the Certificate of Sponsorship, whichever is shorter |
| Requirements | Valid passport, a recent passport photo, proof of financial capacity, evidence of ties to home country | Valid passport, a recent passport photo, proof of permission to enter and stay in the destination country, evidence of your onward journey | Valid passport, a recent passport photo, a Certificate of Sponsorship, proof of financial capacity, proof of at least minimum salary and weekly work hours as set by the UK |
| Application process | Complete the online application and visit a consulate or visa center to submit the requirements and register biometric data. | ||
| Processing time | At least three weeks | ||
| Fees | £115 | £35 for a Direct Airside Transit visa; £64 for a Visitor in Transit visa | £298 + £1,035 Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) per year |
Standard Visitor visa
The Standard Visitor visa allows travelers to stay in the UK for six months. It can be used for tourism, visiting family and friends, short-course study, and permitted business activities.
It is also valid for other purposes, such as medical treatments, provided that the individual meets the additional conditions for their travel purpose and does not exceed a stay of six months.
The Standard Visitor visa is a single-entry visa, which means travelers must re-apply to revisit the UK.
Those who plan to visit the UK multiple times may also apply for a different type of visitor visa that allows for multiple entries and a more extended stay in the country.
To apply for a UK Standard Visitor visa, travelers must create an account on the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) website and provide personal information, travel plans, and the reason for their visit.
After completing the online application, applicants must schedule an appointment at a consulate or visa office to submit biometric data and supporting documents such as a valid passport and travel itinerary.
Applicants must also provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to cover their trip to the UK, including accommodation, daily expenses, and return travel.
Transit visa
A Transit visa is mandatory for individuals traveling through the UK to another destination. It allows transiting travelers to stay in the country for up to 48 hours while waiting for their onward connecting flight.
There are two types of Transit visas: Direct Airside Transit visa and Visitor in Transit visa.
Visitors need a Direct Airside Transit visa if they are not going through border control. On the other hand, travelers need a Visitor in Transit visa if they will go through border control but will leave the UK within 48 hours to continue their journey to their destination.
Travelers who will transit in the UK for more than 48 hours will need a Standard Visitor visa instead. This may also be a good option for travelers who frequently pass through the UK, as it is valid for six months.
To apply for a UK Transit visa, travelers need their passports to prove they are nationals of the country they are traveling to. If this is not the case, they must show evidence that they have permission to enter their destination country with a residence permit or valid visa.
Travelers who are not residents or citizens of the country of their onward destination must disclose their travel purpose and accommodation and provide evidence of onward travel. This is typically a confirmation from a travel agent or a printed or digital copy of a flight booking, ticket, or boarding pass.
Like the Standard Visitor visa, Transit visa applicants must also submit biometric data at a visa application center.
Transit travelers must bring all requirements when passing through the UK.
Creative Worker visa
The Creative Worker visa allows individuals to temporarily work in the creative industry in the UK for at least 12 months.
The creative industry encompasses roles such as acting, dancing, music, film, arts, literature, translation, presenting, producing, directing, photography, and more. Technical or support staff may also accompany eligible creative workers.
Creative Worker visa applicants must be able to contribute distinctly to the creative industry in the UK.
They must be endorsed by a licensed UK sponsor, who can provide them with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This electronic document contains a reference number and information about the worker and the job you will perform in the UK.
Applicants must prove their financial capacity to support themselves during the first month in the UK. They can do this by providing a bank account statement showing a minimum balance of £1,270 for 28 consecutive days within 31 days of the visa application.
This requirement can be waived if the UK sponsor is willing to finance the worker’s first month, which should be indicated in the CoS.
The Creative Worker visa is one of the UK’s Temporary Work visas. Others include:
- International Sportsperson visa
- Government Authorized Exchange visa
- International Agreement Worker visa
- Religious Worker visa
- Charity Worker visa
- Seasonal Worker visa
- Youth Mobility visa
UK visa application process
It’s important to note that the UK visa application process is much more complex than the ETA online application.
UK visa applicants must submit all the required documents and set an appointment at a consulate or visa office to submit biometric data such as fingerprints and a recent photograph.
The fees are also higher than an ETA application, and it takes longer to receive a decision. The processing time for a UK visa usually takes at least three weeks.
Travelers denied an ETA must consider the UK visa application process, as they might need to adjust their travel plans.
Those granted a UK visa as an alternative to an ETA will no longer need the travel authorization or any additional permission to travel documents.