Visiting Scotland in 2025? Easy Step-by-Step ETA Guide

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Planning a smooth trip to Scotland next year? From January 2025, some visitors will need to apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the country.

The new UK ETA is similar to the pre-screening US ESTA or Canada’s eTA; don’t worry—I’ve easily applied for both. This guide will teach you how to avoid being scammed by unethical companies.

Here is everything you need to know about the new digital application.

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What is an ETA?

“Apply for an ETA to come to the UK”, but what is the new ETA?

According to the official UK Government website, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) allows visitors to enter the UK (which includes Scotland) for up to six months for tourism, to visit friends and family, on business or short-term study.

Everyone in your group, including children, requires an ETA, and you can apply for other people.

It is valid for two years or until your passport expires – whichever comes first.

Your ETA is digitally linked to your passport, so you will need to show your passport at entry.

Note: You may still need a UK ETA if you transit through a UK airport, even if the UK is not your intended destination. 

Edinburgh Airport Departures_

ETA Costs

The ETA only costs £10.

Avoid being scammed by sticking to the official .gov.uk website and app, and if any source is charging more than £10, know it is a scam.

Refunds are not provided, so you do not get your money back if your trip is cancelled. 

Twenty-Ten-Pounds-Notes-Money-Royal-Mile-Edinburgh

ETA Timeline

The Government has issued a staggered timeline for ETA applications.

Eligible non-Europeans can apply for an ETA now, it was made mandatory for travellers on 8 January 2025.

Eligible Europeans can apply from 5 March 2025 and need an ETA to travel from 2 April 2025.

ScotRail train stationed at Waverley Train Station Edinburgh

How to Apply For the ETA

According to the official Government website, applying for an ETA is “quick and simple.”

UK ETA Application Process Overview

  • Take a photo or upload a photo of the passport you will travel with
  • Use your phone to scan your face (children under nine do not need to do this)
  • Take or upload a photo of yourself
  • Answer the set questions about yourself
  • Pay for the ETA application

Check Eligibility

First, check if your country of residence is on the list here.

You must apply for a UK ETA if you have passports issued by the USA, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand; I know many readers come from these countries, so I wanted to highlight them. 

Glencoe from car window on Highlands day tour

Download the App or Locate the Offical Website

Next, you can apply via the official website or the app, which can be downloaded from your phone’s app store.

The literature states that the app is the easiest way to apply.

This is the official website link if you cannot access the app.

UK ETA Application Process app screenshot blue background

Prepare the Following

Next, have the following items ready:

  • The passport you will travel with – photographs or scans not accepted
  • Access to your email inbox
  • A device (phone) that allows you to take and upload photos of passports
  • A form of payment: credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay

Note: You cannot save the process, so be prepared to complete the ETA in one sitting.


Old Stirling Bridge reflection over blue river in Scotland

ETA Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Security

  • Provide the email address you want to use
  • Check your inbox for the security code
  • Type in the security code into the application – you have 10 minutes to do this

Step 2: Passport Evidence

  • Take a clear horizontal photo of your passport
    • Include all four corners of the personal details page
    • Your details
    • The photo of you
    • The machine-readable zone (MRZ), which is 2 or 3 lines of letters, symbols and numbers at the bottom
  • The photo must be a jpg or jpeg file – Apple phones use HEIC format, so you might need to convert
  • Or, if you are using the app and have a passport with a biometric chip, the app can scan it
    • If this doesn’t work, just choose the skip button

Step 3: Confirm Your Identity

  • Hold the camera before your face and place your head in the oval
  • Let the app read the image
  • This might take a few attempts; be patient
  • Children under the age of nine don’t have to do this part

Step 4: Profile Image

  • Using your phone camera, take a clear photo of your head and shoulders
  • Remove glasses, sunglasses, and hats
  • Use a plain background with no shadows
  • Look at the camera with a neutral expression – save the smiles for Scotland

Step 5: Questions

  • Answer the personal questions requested
    • For example, address, employment, criminal convictions
  • Travel plans are not required

Step 6: Payment

  • Pay via debit or credit card, Apple or Google Pay
  • Take note of your ETA reference number – take a screenshot
  • Check your inbox for a confirmation email with the reference number

Step 7: Decision

  • An outcome will be confirmed by email using the email address provided
  • The official timeframe is three working days 

You Do Not Need an ETA

If…

  • You have a UK visa
  • You are permitted to live, work, or study in the UK
  • You are a British or Irish citizen
  • You are travelling with a British Overseas Territories citizen passport
  • You have dual citizenship with British or Irish citizenship
  • You live in Ireland, and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man

UK ETA Video Walk-Through

Here is a short video to help you visualise the UK ETA process.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I apply for an ETA?

The official guidance recommends that you apply for the ETA before you purchase your travel. However, you can still apply after.

Give yourself at least three working days for the decision via email.

What is the best way to apply for the ETA?

The official channels are heavily pushing the UK ETA app as taking pictures that meet the required standards is easier.

Where is the ETA app?

You can find it via the app store on your phone or through this link.

What do I do if I can’t use the app?

You can apply via the official website here.

What do I need to apply?

The passport you plan to travel with, an email address, a form of payment, and a device that can take photographs.

Can someone else apply for me?

Yes, if they have the required details from you.

Can I apply without a biometric chip on my passport?

This is not required, but visitors with passports with a chip can scan it using the app.

How long can I stay in the UK?

The UK ETA covers tourists for up to six months.

Note: The ETA is not a visa. If you plan to visit for work or study, you should investigate the correct way to enter the UK to avoid any issues with the UK Home Office.

Do children need the ETA?

Yes, but children under nine will not have to scan their faces.

I’m not visiting the UK; I’m just passing through.

You still need to apply for the UK ETA if your country is on the list.

I’ve already applied for the ETA but have a new passport.

You will need to re-apply.

UK ETA Desktop Application Screenshot image of phone over passport

Avoid These Common Mistakes

  • Don’t stress – it’s a simple step in the Scotland planning process
  • Have your passport, email, phone, and payment method ready
  • Apply during daylight for best photography light
  • Apply via the app if possible
  • Be patient, here’s a picture of the Fairy Pools to keep you calm
The stunning waterfall at Fairy Pools Skye

Final Words

I hope this step-by-step guide to the new UK ETA application process has eased your mind and given you the confidence to cross this task off your Scotland planning list!

If you need any help planning your trip to Scotland, I offer one-to-one consultation calls, which you can find out more about here.

I also have a six-lesson Welcome to Scotland mini-course that you can sign up for; it’s free. 

I used to be a high school teacher!

You may also find the following guides helpful. 

Scotland Planning Guides

Happy Scotland Planning!

Cheers,
Gemma – Your Scotland Trip Planner
Everything Edinburgh
Two Scots Abroad
Hiya Scotland

Please note: I am a Scotland trip planner and not an official representative of the UK Home Office. This guide on the new UK ETA is for informational purposes only, and travellers should always refer to official UK government sources for the latest updates and requirements.

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