Last update: 10 May 2025

UK ETA for Hong Kong Citizens

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What is the UK ETA for Hong Kong Citizens?

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is an electronic permit that gives eligible travellers — including citizens of Hong Kong — permission to enter the United Kingdom for short visits. An ETA is not a visa; it is a digital authorisation linked to the traveller’s passport that simplifies multiple short trips and improves pre-travel security checks.

Key rollout dates: applications for many visa-free nationalities opened on 27 November 2024, and the ETA became required for those travellers for journeys on or after 8 January 2025. The ETA scheme has been introduced in phases; always check GOV.UK for the latest nationalities and dates.

Most ETAs are valid for 2 years (or until the passport expires) and allow multiple entries, with each visit limited to up to 6 months. The application is an online process and the ETA is digitally linked to the passport — there is no paper vignette to carry.

The ETA can be used for short visits such as tourism, visiting family or friends, short business trips, permitted paid engagements and specific short-term concessions (for example certain creative worker concessions or short study up to the permitted periods).

Who can apply and what it's for

  • Short stays for tourism, visiting family or friends, and most business trips (up to 6 months per visit).
  • Short-term study and certain Creative Worker concessions (see GOV.UK for exact rules).
  • Some transit journeys (if an ETA is required for your nationality even when you do not pass through UK border control).

If you were wondering “Do I need an ETA for the UK?” — it depends on the nationality shown in your passport, the reason for travel and whether you already hold UK immigration permission. For Hong Kong passport holders who are included in the rollout, an ETA is required in advance for travel on or after the rollout date above.

Benefits of the UK ETA for Hong Kong Citizens

The ETA adds a small step before travel but brings several benefits for travellers and the UK border system alike.

Cost Effective

One application usually covers multiple trips for up to two years (or until your passport expires), so you don’t need to reapply for every short visit.

Quick and Easy

The application is online (or via the official UK ETA app). Most straightforward applications receive an automatic decision quickly.

Multi-Purpose Use

The ETA covers common short-stay reasons — tourism, visiting family, short business trips and some permitted engagements — reducing the need for a visa for these types of visits.

Digital Process

The ETA is linked electronically to your passport, so you usually don’t need to show any extra paperwork on arrival. The system also supports faster pre-travel screening by authorities.

UK ETA Eligibility Criteria for Hong Kong Citizens

Before applying, make sure you meet the basic eligibility and documentation requirements. The following are general criteria typically relevant to Hong Kong passport holders who are included in the ETA rollout:

1

Passport

You must have a valid passport from Hong Kong (the passport you travel with must be the same one used in the application).

2

Nationality

You must be a national of a country included in the ETA rollout. Check GOV.UK to confirm whether your passport qualifies.

3

Criminal history and travel restrictions

Applicants must answer questions about criminal convictions and other immigration history. Recent or serious criminal convictions may lead to refusal — in such cases you may need to apply for a visa instead and provide supporting documents.

4

Duration of stay

The ETA is for short visits only. If you plan to stay longer than six months or to work or study for an extended period, you will usually need to apply for the appropriate UK visa.

Validity, Fee and How to Apply

An ETA is generally valid for 2 years or until your passport expires — whichever comes first — and allows multiple short stays of up to six months at a time. The official application fee is currently £16 per person. Applications are made online or via the official UK ETA app; you will need your passport, an email address and a payment method. Decisions for straightforward cases are usually issued quickly, but always apply well before travel.

Always use the official GOV.UK service or the official UK ETA app to apply — third-party websites may charge additional fees. For full, up-to-date guidance (including whether your passport is included in the ETA scheme), see the official GOV.UK pages on Electronic Travel Authorisations.

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UK ETA requirements

To apply for a UK ETA, all eligible travelers are required to meet certain basic criteria. Below are the mandatory requirements that every applicant must provide:

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1

Passport

Applicants must have a valid passport from an eligible country, preferably with two years of validity.

Personal Photo

Applicants must submit a recent upper-body photo that meets official specifications.

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2
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3

Payment Method

Applicants must have a valid card or access to Apple Pay or Google Pay to pay the ETA UK fee.

Email address

Applicants must provide a valid email address to receive their UK ETA upon approval.

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Applying for a UK ETA for Hong Kong Citizens

All travellers from ETA-eligible countries, including Hong Kong, must follow the same online application process. The steps are straightforward, and once you have your required documents ready, completing the UK ETA application takes only a few minutes. Below is the step-by-step process to apply.

  • Step 01
    Fill Out the UK ETA Application Form
    • Enter your personal information, including your full name, passport number, email address, and home address.
    • Declare whether you hold any additional nationalities and provide your intended arrival date in the UK.
    • Answer questions about your employment and provide accurate information about any past criminal history.
  • Step 02
    Attach Required Documents

    You will need to provide the following:

    • A clear, high-quality image of your passport’s photo page. All four corners must be visible, and the image must not be a scan of a photocopy or an edited/filtered image.
    • A recent passport-style photograph that meets the size and format requirements listed in the application guidance.
  • Step 03
    Pay the Fee

    Pay the UK ETA fee online using any accepted payment method such as a debit or credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

  • Step 04
    Submit Your Application

    Review all the details carefully before submitting. Any incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information can lead to an application refusal or issues at the UK border. Submitting false information is a serious offense.

  • Step 05
    Receive Your ETA

    Most applicants receive a decision within three business days, and in many cases, much sooner. Ensure you have access to the email address used during the application.

    If your ETA is refused, you will receive an email explaining the reason for the refusal and information on what to do next, such as applying for a visa instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

The UK ETA has been gradually rolled out to visa-exempt nationalities. It first launched for Qatari citizens in October 2023 and was later extended to all GCC nationals. Applications for Hong Kong citizens opened on November 27, 2024, with ETA-approved travel possible from January 8, 2025.

European visa-free nationals will be able to apply from March 5, 2025 for travel starting April 2, 2025. If you intend to stay in the UK for more than six months, a standard UK visa is required instead of an ETA.

If your UK ETA is refused or rejected, you will receive an email explaining the reason and the next steps. Depending on the issue, you may be able to correct the information and apply again, or you may be advised to apply for a visa instead.

  • Rejection (application mistakes)
    This usually happens due to incorrect or missing information.
  • Solution: Fix any errors, provide accurate details, and submit a new ETA application.
  • Refusal (eligibility/security issues)
    This can occur if an applicant has serious criminal convictions or does not meet ETA requirements.
  • Solution: You will need to apply for a relevant UK visa instead, as ETA eligibility cannot be overridden.

Hong Kong citizens have been able to apply for the UK ETA since November 27, 2024.

Travellers may begin using the ETA for entry into the UK from January 8, 2025.

To apply for a UK ETA, Hong Kong citizens must complete the online application and provide:

  • A valid Hong Kong passport
  • A digital passport-style photograph
  • A clear image of the passport’s bio-data page
  • A valid payment method (credit/debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay)
  • An active email address

Applicants must also answer security and criminal history questions truthfully. Any criminal record must be declared, and a decision will be made based on eligibility.

The UK ETA offers several advantages for Hong Kong travellers:

  • Valid for two years or until your passport expires
  • Allows multiple visits to the UK without reapplying
  • Permits stays of up to six months per visit
  • Suitable for tourism, business, visiting family/friends, short-term study, and transit

Travellers planning to stay more than six months must apply for a traditional UK visa instead.

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