Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

For some nationalities, the Standard Visitor visa has been replaced by the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). If you are a non-visa national who wishes to travel to the UK to study for 6 months or less you must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK. You can check if you are a non-visa national on the UKVI website.

ETAs are linked to your passport and they allow for multiple trips to the UK but you must not stay in the UK for more than 6 months.

You can check whether you are eligible to apply for an ETA on the UKVI website.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is suitable for:

• A short course of study of up to 6 months, such as an exchange programme as part of a degree you are studying overseas;
• A period of research as part of a degree you are studying overseas (you would need to be registered as a visiting student);
• Resit exams, if you do not already have another visa;
• Attend a viva examination only, if you do not have another visa [note you would not be eligible to apply for the Graduate Immigration Route (post study work) visa with an ETA. You cannot use an ETA to complete minor or major corrections so these would need to be completed from home or on a student visa;
• Attend a workshop or other teaching event on campus as part of a distance learning programme;
• Attend your graduation ceremony, if you do not already have another visa

With this visa you cannot:

• Do any paid or unpaid work in the UK;
• Live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent or successive visits;
• Extend this visa in the UK;
• Switch to another visa type e.g. if you are an exchange student and you want to extend your course for another semester you will need to return home to apply for a student visa;
• Claim public funds (state benefits);
• Do a course of study that lasts more than 6 months - in this situation, you need a Student visa;
• Marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of the same. You will need a Marriage Visitor visa instead;
• Apply with dependants - any dependants you have will need to submit separate visitor visa applications;
• Access NHS treatment without charge. You should therefore purchase adequate travel insurance that includes cover for any medical costs for the duration of your visa before you enter the UK.