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Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Permission to travel to the UK

The Home Office is introducing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to ensure that anyone who wishes to travel to the UK, with the exception of UK/ROI nationals, has permission to do so in advance of travel.  This will mean all non-visa required nationals who are not applying in advance for entry clearance, will have to apply for an ETA before they travel to the UK.

Individuals who already hold or are applying for alternative UK immigration status will not be required or expected to apply for an ETA. Individuals who intend to come to the UK for more than 6 months, will still need to apply for relevant immigration permission such as a Student Visa.

For information on your Country, please visit Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you apply for permission to enter when you arrive in the UK:

  • you will normally be given permission to stay in the UK as a Standard Visitor for 6 months.
  • your entry permission will be for single-entry only
  • if you leave the UK within those 6 months, you must re-apply for permission to enter as a Standard Visitor each time you re-enter the UK

Documents to carry in your hand luggage

You must have the following documents to show when you pass through immigration control:

  • passport
  • letter of acceptance from Ulster University
  • evidence that you have enough money available to you to support yourself during your visit (e.g. recent bank statements)
  • proof of address (your accommodation) and details of your travel plans
  • evidence of your return flight (if you have booked one) or evidence that you are able to pay for your return or onward journey

Evidence of your finances

You must provide evidence that you have enough money available to you to support yourself while you are in the UK and to pay for your return or onward travel.

This includes your own money or money that a third party, such as a friend or family member, is using to support you during your visit.

Evidence could be in the form of original bank statements, building society book or proof of earnings.

Using ePassport gates

If you are a national of an EU country, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the USA, you may use ePassport gates to enter the UK. In doing so, you will automatically obtain 6 months' permission to enter the UK as a Standard Visitor.

What will my entry permission look like?

If you apply for permission to enter at the border, a Border Force Officer will put a stamp in your passport confirming that you have permission to enter as a Standard Visitor.

Your entry stamp will confirm your date of entry to the UK.

If you use the ePassport gates, you will not receive an entry stamp in your passport.

It is important that you keep evidence of the date of your arrival in the UK (e.g a boarding pass) as this will be required when you register at Ulster University.

Entering the UK from the Republic of Ireland

If you are a non-visa national and you enter the UK from the Republic of Ireland you can remain in the UK for:

  • 6 months - if you do not have any specific UK immigration permission
  • 2 months -  if you entered the Republic of Ireland from the UK at a time when you still had permission to be in the UK and that permission has since expired.

Any immigration permission you are given on arrival in the Republic of Ireland is for the Republic of Ireland, not for the UK.