If you’re a business aviation operator, you’ve likely come across terms like UK UPT, ETA, and eVisa. Still unsure what they all mean? This guide breaks down everything you should know about the UK’s new travel authorization requirements.
The UK is introducing the Universal Permission to Travel (UPT) scheme to digitize immigration screening and enhance border security. Under this new scheme, every traveler heading to the UK will need valid immigration permission before departure – meaning that even visa-exempt travelers now need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). The term UPT is also used to name the central system implemented by UK Home Office for carriers to verify the travelers’ new digital documents like the UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and eVisa.
What is the UK ETA?
The UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), similar to the US ESTA, is an electronic travel authorization designed to pre-screen visa-exempt nationals before they travel to the UK.
Who Needs an ETA?
UK and Irish nationals are exempt from the ETA requirement. For other visa-exempt nationals, the ETA will be introduced in phases:
February 2024: Nationals from the Gulf Cooperation Council
Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
January 8, 2025: Non-EU/EEA visa-exempt nationals
USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand as well as Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British National (Overseas)), Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao Special Administrative Region, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, The Bahamas, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uruguay.
April 2, 2025: EU/EEA nationals
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City. Ireland is excluded.
How long is the UK ETA valid ?
An ETA remains valid for 2 years or until the traveler’s passport expires—whichever comes first. Travelers can enter the UK multiple times during this period.
What Is the UK eVisa?
Introduced in September 2024, the UK eVisa serves as a digital record of a traditional visa. While it serves the same purpose, it introduced new immigration document verification procedures for Carriers.
New Verification Processes for Operators
As before, carriers are responsible for verifying the validity of all travelers’ immigration documents.
Carriers must now query the UPT system to obtain passenger and crew immigration statuses and adapt their boarding process depending on the UPT response.
As the UPT currently only verifies for ETA’s and eVisas, carriers must check if other immigration documents (e.g. biometric residence cards; work/ study permits etc.) are present.
Keep in mind: Currently the UK UPT responds with a Warning, even for nationalities that are not subject to an ETA or eVisa, like UK and Irish citizens or EU nationals (until April 2, 2025).
How can Operators query the UPT?
Automatically with Streamlane
Streamlane automates your General Aviation Report (GAR) submissions and query the UK Universal Permission to Travel (UPT) system, displaying responses within seconds in your GOVlink or flight management interface. Our intelligent module automatically reclassifies UPT responses as OK to Board when relevant – e.g. for UK, Irish, and EU nationals – reducing warning and manual checks for your OPS.
Key features include:
🚀 Automatic GAR submissions at the right time, every time
📩 Real-time notifications for warnings and errors via email
🛡️ Automatic filtering for exempt nationalities (UK, Irish, and EU nationals until April 2, 2025)
✅ Built-in guidance to support carriers in every step
With Streamlane, business aviation carriers automate compliance, minimize delays, and ensure smooth boarding operations.
Manually
By submitting the GAR through the sGAR web portal, your passenger and crew data data is automatically sent to the UPT system and UPT response provided into the GAR web portal.
FAQ
When is crew subject to UK eVisa or ETA?
Crew members are not typically subject to ETA or visa unless one of these criteria apply:
they are traveling as passengers (not operating crew e.g. deadheading, positioning) , or
they are operating crew but will stay more than 7 days in the UK
What is the geographical scope of the UK ETA and eVisa?
Checks is mandatory when entering into the following zone :
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
England
As of today, the Channel Islands (Ile of Man, Guernsey and Jersey) are exempt from eVisa & ETA checks. Continue checking Visas manually.