23 Million UK ETAs Issued: Which Nationalities Are Applying Most?

Quick answer: Quick answer: The UK has now issued more than 23 million ETAs since the scheme launched in 2023, with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, India, the US, and Turkey consistently topping the list of applicant nationalities.

• The Home Office confirmed the 23-million milestone in early 2025, before the scheme expanded to remaining European nationalities.
• Saudi Arabia and the UAE dominated early applications, followed by India, the US, and Turkey.
• The fee rose from £20 to £16 in April 2025, but demand has stayed strong.

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has quietly become one of the world's largest digital travel-permission systems. Since it opened to Qatari nationals in October 2023, more than 23 million ETAs have been issued. That number includes visitors from Gulf states, the US, Canada, Australia, and eventually the rest of Europe.

If you're planning a trip to the UK, these numbers tell you a lot about what to expect. They show you how common the process has become, which nationalities are most likely to need one, and how the system has grown in under two years. They also give you a sense of whether you're going to run into friction at the border.

This article breaks down the official UK ETA statistics by nationality, explains what the 23-million figure means in practice, and looks at what happens next. We'll use published Home Office data and reputable reporting — and we'll flag where numbers are estimates rather than official counts.

These figures carry practical weight for anyone boarding a flight. A system that has processed more than 23 million people is no longer a pilot scheme or a temporary experiment. It is a settled part of UK border control.

By the end of this guide, you'll understand where the numbers come from, what they mean for your specific passport, and what to do if your application does not go smoothly. You will also find a checklist of key takeaways at the end.

What exactly is a UK ETA?

An ETA is not a visa. It's a digital permission to travel, linked electronically to your biometric passport. You need one before you board a plane, ferry, or train to the UK, and it allows you to enter for tourism, visiting family, short business trips, and transit.

The system exists for a simple reason. The UK wanted to know who is arriving before they turn up at the border. That security goal requires every eligible traveller to be checked in advance, even if they've always visited visa-free before.

The ETA is valid for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During that time you can make multiple trips to the UK. Each stay is limited to six months, and you can't work or extend your stay while on an ETA.

You must apply online through the UK government's ETA website or the official British ETA app. The application takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and most decisions come through within three working days, though many applicants get a decision in minutes.

Before you apply, check the who needs a UK ETA guidance carefully. Not every traveller needs one, and getting this wrong is the most common cause of denied boarding.

The ETA application itself does not require an interview. You do not need to post your passport to a visa processing centre, and there is no biometric appointment unless you are applying for a visa instead.

Your ETA is stored digitally against your passport chip. That is why you must travel with the same passport you used in the application. If you renew your passport, the old ETA becomes invalid.

An ETA also covers transit, but the rules depend on whether you pass through UK border control. If you are connecting through a UK airport, check the transit guidance for your nationality before you book.

How to apply for a UK ETA: process, tools, and timing

The application process is deliberately simple. You can complete it on a smartphone, tablet, or computer in a single sitting. The Home Office designed it to be quick because millions of travellers need to use it every year.

Before you start

• Have your passport open at the photo page.
• Use a well-lit room for your face photo.
• Have a payment card ready for the £16 fee.
• Make sure you will be using the same passport for travel.

The main steps

1. Open the official UK ETA app or website.
2. Enter your passport details exactly as they appear.
3. Take or upload a recent photograph of your face.
4. Answer the eligibility and security questions.
5. Pay the fee and submit.
6. Keep the confirmation email and check your status online.

Timing

Most applications receive a decision within minutes or hours. The Home Office service standard is up to three working days, but many travellers receive an email much sooner.

Apply at least one week before departure if you can. Peak periods, such as summer and the Christmas holidays, occasionally slow down decisions.

If you apply on the day of travel and get a refusal, you may not have time to fix the problem. Do not treat the ETA as a last-minute formality.

Where does the 23-million figure come from?

The 23-million milestone comes from UK Home Office statements and data releases. In an email to stakeholders in early 2025, the Home Office announced that more than 23 million ETAs had been issued since the scheme launched.

The figure includes all ETAs issued across the scheme's phases. The first phase opened to Qatar in October 2023. Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE followed in February 2024.

The scheme then expanded to around 30 additional non-European nationalities in late 2024, including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea.

The final major phase opened on 5 March 2025, when the UK extended the ETA requirement to European travellers. That includes EU nationals, Swiss nationals, and nationals of the European Economic Area countries, along with a few smaller European micro-states.

One important detail: the 23-million figure doesn't mean 23 million unique people. One traveller can hold multiple ETAs over time, especially if they renew after a passport expires. The number does, however, tell you the system is operating at serious scale.

The Home Office first communicated the milestone to industry stakeholders, which is why no single press release marked the event. The figure was later repeated in ministerial statements and policy documents.

At the time the milestone was reached, the European phase had not yet fully opened. That means the 23 million was generated mainly from Gulf, North American, and other non-European travellers.

Counting ETAs versus counting travellers

An ETA remains valid for two years, so a single traveller might hold one ETA for multiple trips. Another traveller might be forced to reapply after a passport renewal, meaning they account for two or more ETAs in the total.

The total also counts approved, issued ETAs rather than entries to the UK. It says nothing about how many trips were actually taken.

Since the European rollout began, weekly application volumes have risen sharply. The 23-million number is likely to become outdated within weeks of publication.

Which nationalities are applying most?

The Home Office hasn't published a full public breakdown of every nationality. But it has shared enough regional and category-level data to identify the clear leaders. The largest groups of ETA applicants come from the Gulf states, south Asia, and North America.

The Home Office does sometimes publish quarterly migration statistics, but it has not issued a nationality-level ETA table. The rankings below are therefore the best available picture from official visitor statistics and industry reporting.

Saudi Arabia

Unofficial data compiled by travel industry analysts places Saudi Arabia at or near the top of the list. The Kingdom has a large, relatively wealthy population with significant travel ties to the UK, and the early 2024 rollout meant Saudi nationals were among the first to apply.

UK tourist statistics support this. Saudi visitors rank among the top 10 source markets for UK tourism by spending, and London in particular sees heavy Saudi visitor traffic year-round.

London remains the most common destination for Saudi ETA holders, followed by Manchester. Many applicants travel during the summer months or during school holidays.

A typical application might come from a family planning a two-week shopping trip to west London. They are likely to fly direct with a major Gulf carrier, and their ETA is often approved before the return ticket is booked.

Not everyone travels for leisure. Many Saudi nationals visit the UK for medical treatment, education, or property investment.

The United Arab Emirates

The UAE is the second major Gulf applicant. Emirati travellers have long enjoyed visa-free access to the UK, and the transition to the ETA system was promoted heavily by both governments. Applying is quick, and the app-based process fits the UAE's largely mobile-first population.

UAE nationals also travel to the UK for education, business, and property ownership, driving repeated ETA applications over the scheme's first two years.

Emirati applicants are often frequent flyers. A business traveller commuting monthly between Dubai and London will hold one ETA for two years.

The UAE's high smartphone penetration makes app applications the norm. Many applicants receive their approval before they have left the airport lounge.

India

India consistently appears in the top three, both for ETA applications and for actual visits to the UK. India is the UK's second-largest source of visitors by volume, so the ETA numbers simply reflect broader travel patterns.

One thing to note: Indian nationals who already hold a valid UK visit visa don't need an ETA. But the vast majority of Indian visitors travel without a visit visa, and they now need an ETA instead.

India's high application volume reflects sheer passenger numbers. There are now direct flights between several Indian cities and London Heathrow, Birmingham, and Manchester.

An Indian student visiting family during a semester break, a business delegate attending a conference in London, and a couple on a honeymoon trip are all examples of profiles who might apply. Each will use the same two-year ETA for multiple trips.

The United States

Americans became eligible when the scheme expanded to non-European nationalities in late 2024. The US is the UK's highest-value tourism market, and early ETA application volumes from the US ran high.

The US rollout also generated the most public attention, partly because of confusion around whether US citizens would need an ETA. The answer is yes — there is no exemption for American passport holders.

American applicants often ask whether their Global Entry or ESTA can substitute for the UK ETA. It cannot. A US citizen with an ESTA still needs a separate UK ETA to enter Britain.

Turkey

Turkey's position in the top five reflects the UK's large Turkish-British diaspora and strong business links. Many Turkish nationals previously travelled visa-free, and the ETA replaced that arrangement in late 2024.

Other high-volume applicant nationalities include Canada, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and the Gulf state of Kuwait. Together, these countries account for a large share of the 23 million applications.

Turkish applicants include students, business owners, and family visitors. The strong Turkish community in London means many ETAs are issued for family visits.

Other high-volume nationalities

Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain generate steady Gulf volumes. Their applicants follow patterns similar to Saudi and Emirati travellers.

Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea are also significant. Travellers from these countries often visit the UK for tourism, study, and short business assignments.

European nationalities began adding several hundred thousand applications per month from March 2025. The first weeks after the European rollout saw very high demand.

What these nationalities have in common

Looking at the top applicant groups, a clear pattern emerges. Most of these passport holders could previously enter the UK without any permission, which made the transition to an ETA relatively smooth.

Direct flight connections also matter. Riyadh, Dubai, Delhi, New York, and Istanbul all have frequent services to UK airports, and that connectivity drives application volumes.

• Strong family or diaspora links to the UK.
• High levels of tourism and short business travel.
• Established education and property investment networks.
• Widespread use of smartphones and digital government services.

There is no evidence that nationality determines the chance of approval. The Home Office makes decisions on individual applications, not on passport rankings.

UK ETA statistics by launch phase

Looking at the data by phase shows how the scheme ramped up. Each expansion added tens of millions of new eligible travellers, and application volumes jumped accordingly.

The final phase, covering Europe, was always going to be the largest. There are around 450 million people living in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, and many of them visit the UK regularly for tourism, business, and family reasons.

By mid-2025, European applicants were already accounting for a growing share of weekly ETA applications. That trend will only continue as the requirement beds in.

The table hides an important detail: the volume of applications is not evenly spread over time. The days and weeks after each new phase opened saw a rush of applications, followed by a steady baseline.

For example, the US phase in late 2024 triggered a wave of applications from Americans who had already booked UK holidays. Once the initial rush cleared, weekly volumes stabilised.

The European phase follows the same pattern. Travellers who had already booked summer trips to London were among the first to apply.

What the statistics don't tell you

The raw numbers can mislead if you don't read them carefully. Here's what to keep in mind.

Applications aren't the same as issued ETAs. The Home Office's 23-million figure refers to issued ETAs, not applications. A small number of applications are refused, and others are rejected for technical errors like passport photo failures.

Issued ETAs aren't the same as visitors. Many people get an ETA and then change their plans. They might book a different trip, cancel entirely, or travel on a different passport. A valid ETA doesn't guarantee a traveller will actually show up.

Denied entries are not counted. An ETA gives you permission to travel, but a Border Force officer still makes the final decision at the port of entry. That refusal rate is not included in the ETA statistics.

None of this changes the headline: the UK ETA system has been adopted at scale. It is no longer a pilot or an experiment. It's a permanent fixture of UK border control.

Statistics also hide the reasons behind refusals. A small share of applications fail because of poor photo quality, but this category is counted separately from substantive refusals.

In any large system, there is also a gap between issue and use. Your ETA can be valid even if you never board a flight.

Finally, numbers by nationality are not equivalent to demand for tourism. They include business trips, transit, family visits, and study visits.

How do ETA statistics compare to UK visitor visa numbers?

To put 23 million in context, compare it with the UK's traditional visitor visa system. The UK issues around 3 million visit visas per year, and that number has been relatively stable for a decade.

The ETA scheme dwarfs that figure because it applies to visa-exempt nationalities — people who previously needed no permission at all. The ETA system has effectively moved millions of travellers from the "no checks" pillar to the "pre-screening" pillar.

The UK government's long-term aim is for the ETA to become the default digital permission for any traveller who doesn't hold a visa. That day is now close. Of the roughly 100 million foreign visitors the UK expects to welcome each year by 2030, the majority will hold an ETA.

The traditional visa route remains for nationals of higher-risk countries. Applicants who need a visit visa face a longer application, a higher fee, and often biometric appointments.

The ETA removes that burden for eligible nationalities. From a passenger's perspective, the ETA sits between "no permission" and a full visa.

How the ETA affects UK tourism and Border Force operations

Pre-arrival checks help Border Force know who is travelling before they arrive. That means officers can spend more time on higher-risk travellers and less time processing routine visitors.

Tourism operators also benefit because ETA holders are more certain of their ability to enter. Fewer passengers are turned back at the border, and fewer travellers are surprised by the rules.

The ETA fee is now a meaningful revenue stream. If all 23 million ETAs had been issued at the current £16 fee, the gross value would have been about £368 million, though many early applications were made at £10.

The scheme also collects data that can be used for fraud detection, immigration enforcement, and travel-pattern analysis.

Which countries are exempt from the ETA?

The ETA exemption list matters as much as the requirement list. You do not need an ETA if you:

• Hold a valid UK visa, including a visit visa, work visa, or study visa.
• Hold British, Irish, or Commonwealth citizenship with the right of abode in the UK.
• Are a British Overseas Territories citizen with certain UK connections.
• Live in Ireland and travel from Ireland, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands (in most cases).

There are also a few nationalities that are not subject to the ETA because they require a visa for any UK travel. If you hold a passport from a country on the UK's visa-national list, you must apply for a visa through the standard route — the ETA is not an alternative.

The Spanish enclave of Gibraltar has its own rules, and so do certain British passport categories. The uk eta application requirements page covers these edge cases in detail.

The exemption categories can be surprisingly narrow. A British citizen does not need an ETA, but other British passport holders may have separate arrangements.

Frequent cross-border travellers from Ireland should review the official guidance, because the exemptions depend on where you are travelling from and your citizenship.

Which nationalities have seen the biggest processing delays?

Official processing-time statistics by nationality aren't published independently. However, the Home Office has acknowledged that some nationalities experience longer checks, usually due to additional security screening.

In practice, the vast majority of applications are approved within a few hours. The three-working-day service standard is the upper bound, not the norm. If you apply more than a week before travel, delays are unlikely to affect you.

If you need a faster decision, you can email the official ETA support address with your GWF reference number. Some travellers report getting a decision the same day this way, though it's not a formal priority service.

Manual checks are more common for travellers with names that match security watchlists. This can happen to any nationality and is not a reflection on the individual.

Dual nationals may be asked to confirm which passport they travelled on. Make sure the ETA is linked to the same passport you present at check-in.

If your application is taking longer than three working days, contact the official support address. Include your reference number and flight details.

The £20 to £16 fee rise: what it means for applicants

On 9 April 2025, the UK government increased the ETA fee from £20 to £16. The increase applies to every new application, including those filed on the app. It does not affect ETAs already issued.

If you paid £20 before the change, your ETA remains valid until it expires.

The fee rise has not suppressed application volumes. Demand remains high because the ETA is mandatory — it's not a product people can choose to skip. If you're travelling to the UK, you pay the fee or you don't board.

The full cost picture matters if you're budgeting. The £16 fee covers a two-year, multiple-entry ETA. That works out to roughly £0.67 per month.

Compare that with a standard six-month visit visa, which costs £115, and the ETA remains one of the cheapest UK travel permissions available. For more detail on pricing, see how much does a uk eta cost.

The fee rise was confirmed in the Autumn Budget 2024 and came into force in early April 2025. The Home Office said the increase would help fund the ongoing operation of the digital border.

By comparison, the US ESTA costs around $21 and is valid for two years, while the Canadian eTA costs about CAD 7 and lasts for five years. At £16, the UK ETA still represents good value for a two-year multiple-entry permission.

When your ETA expires, you will pay £16 to renew. There is no discount for frequent travellers, and the fee is the same whether you apply on the website or the app.

What the 23-million milestone means for your trip

Here's the practical takeaway. The ETA system is mature, well-tested, and widely used. That's good news for you, because it means the process is straightforward and stable.

You should still apply early. Most decisions come back quickly, but there's no reason to risk a delay. Apply at least three working days before you travel, and ideally a week out if you're applying during a peak period like summer or Christmas.

Double-check your passport details before you submit. A single typo can cause your ETA to be rejected or delayed, and correcting it means applying again and paying the fee a second time.

The ETA is linked to your passport number. When you renew your passport, your ETA lapses and you need a new one. That's one of the most common reasons travellers are caught out at the airport.

Airline staff are familiar with the ETA. They will check their system before issuing your boarding pass, so carry your passport even if you have a digital copy of the confirmation.

Triple-check that the passport number on your booking matches the passport used for the ETA. If they don't match, the airline may refuse to check you in.

How is the ETA data expected to change by 2026?

By 2026, the UK ETA system will likely have covered around 24 months of full-scale operation, including the European expansion. The cumulative issued figure could comfortably exceed 40 million, simply because Europe adds several hundred thousand applicants per month.

The nationality mix will shift too. European travellers — led by France, Germany, Spain, and Italy — will dominate new applications. Gulf and US applicants will remain significant, but their share of the total will fall as Europe's volume piles up.

The UK government will also continue refining its approach. There are plans to publish more detailed statistics on the Home Office's migration statistics page, including refusal rates and processing times. That will give travellers and analysts a much clearer picture of how the scheme is performing.

With the European expansion fully live, the UK is close to reaching a point where almost every visa-exempt visitor needs an ETA. Only a small set of exceptions will remain outside the system.

The Home Office has not issued a public projection for 2026. The 40-million figure is an estimate based on current application rates and should be treated as indicative.

Common mistakes revealed by application data

Even with 23 million successful applications, mistakes happen. The most common ones seen in application data include:

• Applying with an expired passport, then submitting a new passport with the wrong number.
• Photographing a passport page instead of uploading a face photo.
• Using a third-party "assistance" website that overcharges and still sends you to the official portal.
• Applying when you already hold a valid visit visa for the UK.
• Confusing the UK ETA with the upcoming EU ETIAS system.

Every one of these is avoidable. Use the official UK government website or app. Only pay the official fee.

And if you need help identifying whether you need an ETA at all, the who needs a uk eta page answers exactly that question.

Another frequent error: assuming an ETA guarantees entry. It doesn't. Border Force retains full discretion to refuse entry to any traveller who doesn't satisfy the UK's immigration rules.

The ETA simply confirms you've been pre-screened.

Many of these mistakes are discovered only at the airport, when it's too late to reapply. Build a simple checklist and follow it.

If you used a third-party site, check your bank statement for unexpected charges. You should never be charged for support that the UK government provides through its official channels.

Always use the official domain ending in gov.uk. The official app is described as "UK ETA" on app stores.

The UK ETA vs EU ETIAS: don't mix them up

A surprising number of rejection messages at UK airports relate to the EU's ETIAS system, which is not yet in force. ETIAS is a similar scheme for entering the Schengen area, and it's scheduled to launch sometime in 2026 or later. By early 2026, it may still be ramping up.

The two systems are completely separate. A UK ETA does not help you enter France, Germany, or any other Schengen country, and an EU ETIAS will not help you enter the UK. You need to apply to each system separately if you're travelling to both destinations.

The EU ETIAS fee is expected to be around €20, and the authorisation will be valid for three years. The UK ETA costs £16 and lasts two years. Neither refunds you if you don't travel, and both are non-transferable between passports.

Even after ETIAS launches, the UK and EU systems will operate entirely independently. If you fly from the UK to Paris, you will pass through UK exit controls and then later through Schengen entry controls. The two checks use different databases.

Do not delay your UK ETA application while waiting for ETIAS. They are separate processes and separate timelines.

How to check your ETA status

If you've already applied and want to confirm your ETA is valid, use the official UK government checker. You'll need the passport number used in the application and your date of birth.

The checker shows whether your ETA is active and its expiry date. You can also see whether any issues have been flagged. Check this at least a week before you travel so you have time to fix problems.

If your ETA status shows "refused", you'll need to consider whether you qualify for a visa or whether you should travel at all. A refused ETA is not an automatic ban, but you should not attempt to board without resolving the issue first.

The checker will usually respond immediately. If it says "not found", re-enter your details carefully.

Your ETA reference number is emailed after approval. Keep it in a safe place, but do not rely on it as your boarding document.

What to do if your UK ETA application is refused

Refusals are not common, but they do happen. When an ETA is refused, the Home Office sends a notice explaining the decision.

An ETA refusal may mean you cannot board a flight to the UK. It does not automatically mean you are banned from the UK or that you cannot apply for a visa.

• Read the refusal notice carefully for the stated reason.
• Check whether you meet the requirements for a standard visit visa instead.
• If you believe the refusal was an error, contact the Home Office official ETA support address with your reference number.
• Do not submit a second ETA application without changing the information that caused the problem.

Some refusals happen because the applicant already has a visa, held a previous visa that was revoked, or has a criminal record. Each case is decided individually.

If you are refused and you still need to travel, the safest route is to apply for a visit visa before your travel date, but only if you qualify. Visa applications are assessed under different rules and can take longer.

What happens at the UK border if you have an ETA?

At the border, your passport is scanned at an eGate. If you're eligible for eGate use — which now includes US, Canadian, Australian, Japanese, South Korean, Singaporean, Gulf, and many European travellers — you pass through in under a minute.

The eGate reads your passport and automatically checks your ETA status. If all is well, the gate opens. If you've never entered the UK before, the gate may restart and route you to an officer for a short interview.

Travellers with a valid ETA are unlikely to be questioned at length. Refusals at the border are rare, but they happen if a traveller has a criminal record, has previously overstayed in the UK, or fails to convince the officer that their stated purpose is genuine.

One more point: an ETA doesn't override other rules. You can be refused if you've been banned from the UK, if you're inadmissible under the Immigration Rules, or if your identity details don't match your passport.

At an eGate, place your passport on the reader and look at the camera when prompted. The gate will verify your face against the passport photo and check your ETA status.

If the gate routes you to a border officer, it is not automatically a refusal. Sometimes it simply means the system wants a little more time.

Official sources and confidence in the data

The 23-million figure is widely cited, but the Home Office has not released the underlying dataset in full. Some numbers in this article, such as the top-five nationality list, come from partial data and industry reporting rather than official tables.

That's an inherent limitation of the statistics today. The Home Office's Home Office migration statistics page is the definitive source for official counts, and it should be your first port of call for the most up-to-date figures.

This article is general guidance, not legal or professional advice. Always verify current requirements with official UK government sources before booking travel or submitting an application.

Because this area changes quickly, check the Home Office site before relying on any statistic. The table in this article may age quickly.

We will update this guide whenever the Home Office releases a new set of ETA statistics. Our pages on who needs an ETA and application requirements are kept updated to reflect rule changes.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for official advice. Always verify current requirements with official sources before you travel.

Key takeaways

• More than 23 million UK ETAs have been issued since October 2023, covering travellers from Qatar, the Gulf states, the US, Canada, Australia, and eventually Europe.
• The largest applicant groups by nationality are Saudi Arabia, the UAE, India, the US, and Turkey, though European applicants now dominate weekly volumes.
• The ETA fee rose from £20 to £16 in April 2025, but the two-year, multiple-entry validity keeps it far cheaper than a standard visit visa.
• An ETA is not a visa and doesn't guarantee entry. Border Force makes the final decision at the port.
• Always apply through the official UK government website or app, and check the uk eta application requirements before you start.