UK: 5.4 million ETAs approved – which countries are the main applicants?

The UK has approved over 5.4 million Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) since the system was launched. Find out which nationalities are among the biggest applicants.

Introduced in autumn 2023 as part of the UK’s post-Brexit border modernization strategy, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a new entry requirement for travelers from visa-exempt countries making short visits.

This digital system, modeled after similar programs like the U.S. ESTA or Canada’s eTA, was rolled out gradually, starting with a group of Gulf countries in October 2023, followed by expansion to non-European nationalities, leading to full implementation in April 2025.

Now, all visa-exempt persons wishing to visit the United Kingdom for up to six months for tourism, business, or transit purposes must apply for an ETA before traveling.

Available online through a streamlined application process, the ETA allows UK authorities to pre-screen travelers for security and immigration purposes, helping to manage migration more effectively while ensuring a smoother entry experience for legitimate visitors.

Over 5.4 million ETAs approved since launch

In a recent release, the UK Home Office reported that between March 2024 and March 2025, the country recorded 133.4 million arrivals, a 7% increase compared to the previous year. Air travel accounted for 88% of these entries, followed by 7% by train and 5% by sea, maintaining the same distribution as the previous year.

From the program’s initial launch in October 2023 through March 2025, 5.4 million ETAs have been approved by UK authorities.

The ETA costs £16 and can be applied for online or through the official “UK ETA” mobile app, available on iOS and Android. Once granted, it is valid for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows for multiple short stays in the UK.

Top 20 nationalities applying for UK ETA

According to official UK government data, U.S. nationals are by far the top applicants, with nearly 1.7 million requests, highlighting the strong ties between the two countries and high levels of transatlantic travel.

European countries like Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands also feature prominently, reflecting the continued importance of intra-European travel despite Brexit.

Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan (now excluded from the program) are also heavily represented. Their early eligibility during the initial rollout phase allowed them to begin applying well ahead of other countries.

Here are the 20 nationalities with the highest number of ETA applications since the program began: