In addition to those who can register the UK eTA, it is also possible for some foreign nationals to obtain an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW). The EVW and UK eTA are 2 distinctly different documents and have specific eligibility requirements that apply to applicants.

To help future visitors avoid confusion between these two types of travel documents, this page looks at who can apply for an EVW and what the requirements are. It also covers the main differences travelers may encounter between this visa waiver and an eTA.

What is the difference between the UK EVW and the eTA?

At the moment the UK eTA has not yet been launched. However, when it is, it should be more widely available and flexible to use than EVW. The EVW has some additional requirements that the Electronic Travel Authorization is not currently thought to have.

For example, when eTa is launched, it can be used to:

  • Multiple visits in Great Britain
  • Short visits for business and tourism

The EVW is also used for tourist and business travel. However, it differs from UK eTA in that it requires applicants to:

  • Getting a visa waiver for every visit to the UK
  • Notify UK immigration authorities if travel itineraries or arrival times change

Who can apply for a UK EVW?

The EVW for the UK can only be used by citizens of 4 countries in the Middle East. It is not possible to apply for this visa waiver option if the applicant is eligible for an eTA. However, like the UK Electronic Travel Authorization, the process is fully managed online and accessible to eligible citizens.

Passport holders from the following countries can apply for a UK EVW:

  • Kuwait
  • Oman
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Qatar

This differs significantly from the eTA which is expected to be available for more than 60 nationalities at the time of its launch. To date, the UK government has indicated that the following passport holders may be eligible for the proposed system:

  • Visa-free travellers (NVNs – citizenships eligible for visa-free travel to the UK)
  • Citizens of the European Economic Community (EEC)

How to register for the UK EVW

EVW applicants must provide a range of personal, passport, and travel details when registering online for this form of visa waiver. During the application process, citizens admitted to the program must enter:

  • Name and surname
  • Date of birth
  • Country of citizenship
  • Travel itinerary: including travel dates and times
  • Address of accommodation in the United Kingdom

Once submitted, and assuming there are no errors or discrepancies, an EVW can be processed in about 72 hours. After approval, this is sent directly to the applicant via email to the address registered at the time of the request. It can then be printed or digitally stored for display on arrival in the UK.

Updating your EVW travel details before arriving in the UK

Travelers should inform the UK authorities if their plans change after they have been approved for a UK EVW. This is because the visa waiver details inform the UK border authorities of the traveler’s precise time of arrival.

If the originally stated travel plans differ from what was entered on an EVW at the time of application, this information must be updated prior to travel. This will be essential if any of the following situations occur:

  • Decide to travel to Britain at a different time
  • You will be traveling from a different airport or port of departure
  • You will arrive in the UK more than 8 hours later than originally stated