This is a quick message for our international friends.
From this year onwards, many international attendees will need a new document called an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA for short) to enter the United Kingdom.
WHAT IS AN ETA?
An ETA is a type of pre-screening check for international people wishing to visit the UK.
(Importantly it is NOT a visa - so if you normally need a visa, you still need one)
DO I NEED ONE?
To check whether you need an ETA, go to the UK Government Website where you will find the criteria and a list of countries - if your country is on the list, you can now apply.
Most international attendees will require an ETA, but there are a few exceptions noted on the website.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
An ETA costs £10.00 and lasts for two years, at which point you will need to renew.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
The application process only takes a few minutes (remember, you will need your passport to hand).
The approval process usually takes three business days.
In our tests, most approvals have come back instantly, whilst others have taken quite some time. We imagine the processing will take longer as more people begin to book their summer holidays - so we're advising international attendees to apply sooner rather than later, to avoid any last-minute stress.
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU APPLY
Be careful to avoid non-official websites which might charge you extra for this service.
The best way to proceed is to use the official UK Government website and smartphone app. This way you know you're applying to the correct place and for the lowest possible fee.
(TFNation is not an immigration specialist and so if you wish to obtain individual guidance, you should speak to a qualified expert in your area. That said, in our testing the system has been straightforward and stress-free, so we're confident most attendees will be able to do this themselves without any troubles)