VISA and Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
IMPORTANT - National ID cards are no longer accepted for travel. A valid passport is required.
By April 2025, all international visitors travelling to the UK (except British and Irish citizens) will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or a visa, before travelling to the UK.
Check if you need an ETA or Visa via this official link - www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
NEW - Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Who can apply
- Eligible non-European national visitors
- Eligible European visitors who are travelling to the UK on or after 2 April 2025 (application start from 5 March 2025)
Process, Validity and Fees
Simply apply via the ETA App or online - https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/how-to-apply
A decision is usually made within 3 working days
The ETA is linked to your passport and lasts 2 years or to the expiry of your passport, whatever
comes first.
The cost of an ETA is £10 per person, including for babies and children.
VIDEO – Watch this useful video on how to apply for ETA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG1zaOMl63M
VISA
We strongly advise you to find out if you need a visa to enter the UK as early as possible, and should a visa be required, to apply as soon as possible as the process can take up to 20 working days.
Process: You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application centre (VAC – see below) as part of your application. The application will not be submitted until that process has been completed. You will be able to book an appointment to provide your biometric information at the end of the online application.
Find details of your nearest visa application centre using this link https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre.
In those countries where there is no visa application centre, you may find a Temporary Enrolment Location is available on given days or you may need to travel to a nearby country where a visa application centre is available. Should you live in a country where no visa application centre is available you should take account of additional timescales for biometric submission when considering when to apply.
In support of your application, you should gather evidence of your circumstances, employment, ability to meet the costs of the trip and the arrangements in the UK. More details can be found via this link to the guide to supporting documents https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visitor-visa-guide-to-supporting-documents
If you have already registered for the conference, we would strongly recommend that you include a copy of the registration confirmation letter together with conference invitation letter to these documents.
IMPORTANT UPDATE on E-GATES:
Visitors from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States of America will now be able to use e-gates upon arrival in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to apply for a Standard visa?
The cost for a Standard visa is £115 per person.
When should I apply for my visa and how long will my application take?
The process can take up to 20 working days from submitting biometrics, but we recommend that applications are made as early as possible, from up to 3 months before the congress and allowing at least four weeks. In many locations, for an additional fee, delegates may be able to use our Priority and Super Priority visa service.
I am applying late – what is a Priority and Super Priority Service?
Priority service means that the UK Visa and Immigration office will aim to make a decision on your application in 5 working days, this service is available in over 200 locations. Super Priority service reduces this to the end of the next working day, this service is available in around 20 locations. Both services are charged at an additional fee. Some applications may take longer if they are complex, please check the visa application centres website for any further information.
Fees - Fees for Priority and Super Priority Services apply in addition to the Standard visa fee, as follows: £500 for Priority and £1,000 for Super Priority.
Important note: Priority service does not imply or guarantee in any way that a delegate will be successful in their visa application. All visa applicants must meet the requirements of the UK immigration rules.
I travel a lot and cannot be without my passport, are there any services that could help?
The UKVI offer a Keep My Passport service in over 40 locations, this allows the applicant to keep their passport while their application is being considered. If their visa application is successful they will need to provide their passport to the VAC for the vignette to be printed. This service comes at an additional cost and details of which services are available at each VAC are available on the commercial Partner website.
What travel date should be stated on the application form?
On the application you should be specific in stating planned dates of travel to and from the UK. Visitors cannot arrive in the UK earlier than the start date on their visa and the airline may not let you board their flight, or they may be refused entry on arrival in the UK. It is not usually possible to make changes to the validity dates of a visa, after it has been printed. If plans change, you may need to make a new visa application.
What can I do if my visa is refused?
A decision to refuse a visa is made only after careful consideration of all the facts by an Entry Clearance Officer, including the fact that the delegate is to attend or contribute to a specific event. If the application is refused, the refusal notice will provide details about the reasons for refusal. Visitors are free to make a new application, but it is strongly recommended that they read their refusal letter carefully and fully address all the reasons for the initial refusal.