What is a UK ETA for Romanian Citizens?

The UK ETA is an electronic travel authorization that gives permission to enter the country for a short term of up to 6 months. It allows the UK to prescreen travelers prior to their travel. A UK ETA for Romanian citizens gives you the option to travel to the UK on a UK ETA for a short stay of up to 6 months.

Traveling to the UK from Romania comes with a lot of questions, such as what do you do with a UK ETA, and when does it start?  It essentially allows nationals of countries eligible for the UK ETA, including Romanian citizens, to visit the UK for short stays.

The UK ETA launch date was in October 2024, then it was launched for Europeans, including Romanians, on March 5, 2025, for travels on or after April 2, 2025.

The primary purpose of the ETA for the UK for Romanian citizens is to permit entry to the UK prior to travel. Travelers became able to apply as of March 5th, 2025.

Travelers can use the UK ETA system for tourism, whether that’s for visiting close friends or family. ETA for the UK in 2025 can also be used for travel to the UK on a Creative Worker Visa concession. This is specifically for those who work in creative industries. The other options are for approved paid work and routing through the UK, if the traveler is passing through border control.

Romanian Visitor Statistics to the United Kingdom

Traveling to the UK for Romanian citizens is quite common. In 2018, there were approximately 987,000 visits from Romania to the UK. As of 2025, that number will drastically increase as many Romanians will seek a UK ETA from Romania.

Benefits of the UK ETA for Romanian Citizens

There are plenty of benefits for Romanians getting an ETA to the UK.

UK electronic travel authorization (ETA) gives Romanians the option to:

  • The UK ETA simplifies the travel process for EU and Romanian citizens, making entry into the UK more efficient.
  • It increases security by allowing for the pre-screening of travelers before they arrive.
  • The ETA promotes tourism and business interactions by facilitating access to various services and opportunities in the UK.
  • The application is completed online. This is a simple and fast way for anyone who needs an ETA for the UK.
  • After applying online, you will get a confirmation email on your ETA. You can expect a response within 3 working days. Some applications tend to receive a response a lot faster.

UK ETA Eligibility Criteria for Romanian Citizens

The applicant for the UK ETA authorization in the UK needs to meet certain eligibility criteria. Your eligibility to apply is contingent upon:

Traveler is not Planning to Stay in the UK for More Than Six Months

The UK ETA for Romanian Citizens allows travel for up to six months for tourism, business, study, visiting family and friends, and other allowed purposes.

Traveler Holds a Valid Romanian Passport

If your passport expires during the validity of your ETA, you must apply for a new ETA with your new valid passport if you want to travel to the UK. So, make sure your passport is valid for at least the time you are staying in the UK.

Traveler Does Not Intend to Work in the UK

The UK ETA for EU citizens does not permit work in the UK. Travelers who want to work must apply for the appropriate UK visa.

Traveler Has No Criminal Record

You should not have a serious criminal record or any previous immigration violations to be able to apply.

Applying for a UK ETA for Romanian Citizens

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you apply for the UK ETA.:

1

Fill Out the Application Form

Begin your process by filling in the online UK ETA application form.  You will need to provide personal information, passport details, and travel plans, and answer a few security-related questions. It’s crucial to ensure all information is accurate and matches your travel documents.

2

Attach Required Documents

While the ETA is mainly electronic, you’ll need to have specific documents handy for the application. This typically includes a scanned copy of your non-expired Romanian passport and a digital passport-style photograph that meets specific requirements.

3

Pay the Application Fee

The UK ETA comes with a processing fee. You can pay this securely online using a credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Make sure to keep proof of your payment confirmation for your records.

4

Submit the Application

Once you’ve filled in all the required information, attached the necessary documents, and paid the fee, you can submit your application. Double-check that everything is correct before submitting.

5

Receive Your ETA

After submitting your application, you’ll receive an email confirming receipt.  The processing time for a UK ETA is usually quick. Once approved, you’ll receive your ETA electronically via email. It’s highly recommended to print a copy or save it on your phone for presentation upon arrival in the UK. 

UK ETA Requirements for Romanian Citizens

Romanian citizens planning a trip to the UK are required to provide certain documentation.

This system allows UK authorities to pre-screen travelers for eligibility and potential risks. Some of the documentation you will need to provide is: 

Passport

You must have a valid Romanian passport that remains valid for the entirety of your stay in the UK.

Passport

Photo

A recent digital passport photo that meets the photo guidelines is required.

Photo

Payment method

You can pay the application fee using a valid payment method like a credit or debit card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.

Payment method

Email address

A valid email address is needed to receive your ETA application confirmation and updates. 

Email address

UK ETA Processing Time and Fees for Romanian Citizens

  • The ETA for the UK typically processes within 3 business days, but in most cases, it can be processed a lot sooner than that.
  • Applying for a UK ETA as a Romanian citizen costs £79. This fee covers the UK government’s processing charge and our professional service fees. We streamline the application process, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for you.

UK ETA Validity and Duration of Stay

You can travel to the UK multiple times on an ETA, staying for a maximum of six months per visit, over two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

Renewing or Extending Your UK ETA: What You Need to Know

Planning a trip to the UK and wondering what happens when your Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) expires? Here’s everything you need to know about renewing, extending, and dealing with a rejected or refused application.

  • Renewing Your UK ETA Your UK ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires—whichever comes first. Once it expires, you can’t renew it, but you can simply apply for a new one once yours expires if you plan to visit the UK again.
  • Can You Extend Your UK ETA? Unfortunately, no—your ETA only allows stays of up to six months per visit, and extensions aren’t possible. If you need to stay longer, you’ll have to apply for a visa before traveling. Depending on your reason for staying, this could be a work visa, student visa, business visa, or a family visit visa.

What If Your UK ETA Is Rejected or Refused?

Not all applications get approved, and there’s a difference between a rejected ETA and a refused ETA. Here’s what each means and what you can do about it.

If your UK ETA is rejected, you’ll be informed of the reason.

What to do next? You can apply again, correcting any mistakes or issues that led to the rejection.

If your UK ETA is refused, you cannot appeal the decision.

What to do next? If you still want to visit the UK, you’ll need to apply for a visa instead.

Traveling to the UK with an ETA: Key Details

There are a few key details to remember when you make your trip to the UK. 

  • Your UK ETA is electronically linked to the passport you use during the application process.
  • You must travel with the exact passport used to obtain the ETA since the ETA is linked to the passport used during the application. Using a different passport, even if also eligible for an ETA, may result in an entry denial.
  • If you hold multiple passports, choose one for your UK ETA application and always use that passport for all travel related to that ETA.  Apply for separate ETAs for each passport if needed. It’s also important to know that if you’re traveling with more than one person, each person has to submit their ETA for the UK application separately. That also includes children and babies.
  • Present the passport linked to your ETA application to airline staff during check-in and to Border Force officers upon arrival in the UK. You may be asked to provide biometric information. This could be fingerprints, or a facial scan at the border for identity verification.
  • Be prepared to answer basic questions about the purpose and duration of your visit. People typically get nervous at this part, but rest assured, once you get past border control, you don’t have anything to worry about.
  • There are usually no passport checks within the UK itself. However, it is still crucial to carry a form of photo identification with you, especially for age verification purposes.

FAQ’s

Yes, the UK has introduced an ETA system. Specifically, the UK introduced ETA for non-Europeans from 27 November 2024 and for Europeans from March 5th, 2025, and from February 1st of 2024 for GCC countries. This system increases border control and enhances security measures for those entering the country.

Many people have questions regarding what an ETA for the UK is. To answer your question, no, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is not considered a visa. It’s a digital travel authorization similar to those used by eligible countries like the US and Canada.

Currently, EU citizens do not need a visa for short stays in the UK but rather a UK electronic travel authorization (ETA). However, this is subject to change at any time. It’s important to stay up-to-date.

Whether you need an ETA to enter the UK depends on your nationality and the purpose of your travel.