What is a UK ETA for Brazilian Citizens?

Standing for ‘United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation,’ a UK ETA for Brazilian citizens is a travel permit for travellers entering the UK from Brazil which the UK government has developed as a pre-arrival approval.

The UK ETA for Brazilian citizens will be open for applications from November 27, 2024, for travel on or after January 8, 2025, replacing the previous system which allowed Brazilian citizens visa-free travel to the UK. It comes after the ETA was initially introduced for Qatari citizens in October 2023 as a replacement for the UK Electronic Visa Waiver scheme.

If you have previously travelled to the UK as a Brazilian citizen, the UK ETA requirement is, therefore, a change and a new way of entering the UK which must be taken note of.

The creation of the UK ETA simplifies the UK entry process for many travellers from Brazil and elsewhere in the world. Brazilian passport holders are able to use this electronic system for travel authorisation for the following purposes:

  • Coming to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business, or short-term study.
  • Coming to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession.
  • Coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement, such as a professional sportsperson or musician, can apply for an ETA for the UK in 2025 rather than needing to apply for a visa for the UK. 
  • Transiting through the UK – including if you’re not going through UK border control.

Brazilian Visitor Statistics to the United Kingdom

Official visitor statistics show that there were 344,000 visits to the UK from Brazil in 2023. With the launch of the UK government’s new ETA scheme, visitors from Brazil will now have a simpler entry process for future trips.

Interestingly, 47% of travellers from Brazil to the UK in 2023 were from São Paulo. An even higher 56% were aged between 25 and 44, demonstrating just how popular the UK is with younger travellers.

Most are making their first trip to the UK, and 91% say that they would recommend the country to their friends and family back home.

Benefits of the UK ETA for Brazilian Citizens

The UK ETA from Brazil offers a range of benefits compared to traditional permissions to enter the UK. We look at the most important below.

Easy Application Process

So long as you have your Brazilian passport to hand, access to email, and a means of payment (see below), applying for a UK ETA from Brazil is incredibly quick and easy. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to finish, as you don’t even need to enter any travel details. The application process is completely online, meaning no in-person visits to a far away United Kingdom embassy or diplomatic mission.

Price

Often visas can be prohibitively expensive. However, the UK ETA has been designed to be affordable for any traveller. It is the most cost-effective way of visiting the UK since it allows multiple visits during its validity period.

Quick Processing

Once the UK ETA application is submitted, it undergoes a rapid review process. Typically, applicants receive confirmation within three working days, enabling travellers to organize their trips smoothly and without delay.

UK ETA Eligibility Criteria for Brazilian Citizens

Understanding the ETA for the UK eligibility for Brazilian citizens is also a straightforward process. The vast majority of applicants have very little to worry about so long as they meet the following requirements:

  • Applicants must be Brazilian citizensIt probably goes without saying that those applying for a UK ETA from Brazil need to be a Brazilian citizen travelling on a valid Brazilian passport. Or, citizens of an ETA-eligible country.
  • Stays should be a maximum of six months longThe UK’s ETA scheme is designed for travellers looking to visit the United Kingdom for short stays. A short stay is defined as one lasting for a duration of up to six months. Those planning to stay longer than six months will need to apply for an appropriate traditional visa instead.
  • Applicants should not have a criminal recordTravellers from Brazil seeking to use the UK ETA scheme should have a clean criminal record. Anyone who has been convicted of a crime in the last 12 months, or who has received a prison sentence of 12 months or more, will have their application for an ETA refused.

UK ETA Validity and Duration of Stay

Each UK ETA is valid for a maximum length of two years and permits as many journeys to the UK as you like during this two-year period. As outlined above, no single journey or stay is allowed to be longer than six months in duration.

However, an ETA issued by the UK government is linked to a traveller’s passport. If your passport expires before the end of the two-year ETA window, or you replace your passport for any reason during this time, you will need to apply for a new ETA before travelling back to the UK.

UK ETA Requirements for Brazilian Nationals

In this section you will find all the information you need on the list of documents and requirements needed for a Brazilian citizen looking to obtain a UK ETA:

Valid Brazilian passport

A copy of the passport’s biometric information page (the one with your name and photograph) must be uploaded as part of the ETA for the UK application process. Photocopies and digital passports are not accepted.

Valid Brazilian passport

Means of payment

Payment for the UK ETA is made online, and applicants will therefore need a means of making payment online such as a credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Means of payment

Recent photograph

Applicants will also need a recent passport-style photograph that should follow specific guidelines, including being recently taken and having a clear shot of your face with a white background.

Recent photograph

Email address

Applicants will receive updates as well as notice of the decision on their ETA application via email. Applicants are therefore required to provide a working email address.

Email address

Applying for a UK ETA for Brazilian Citizens

You know you meet the eligibility criteria and have all the UK ETA requirements to hand as well. The next step is to apply for a UK ETA, detailed in the step-by-step guide here:

1

Complete the application form

Simply head to the online application form and fill out your personal details, making sure your name and other details match those in your passport exactly, or your application will not be successful.

2

Attach the requested documentation

When completing the application process, don’t forget to upload an image of your passport alongside a personal photograph matching the size and format guidelines detailed on the online application form.

3

Pay the application fee

The application fee must be paid online using a valid credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

4

Submit the application

Having ensured all sections of the application have been filled out fully and accurately, you should review your application and then hit the submit button.

5

Get notification of your ETA decision

Having submitted your UK ETA application, you will receive confirmation of submission, followed by the ETA decision by email. It’s worth ensuring the decision email does not enter your spam or junk folder by adding the email address to your contacts book.

UK ETA Processing Time and Fees for Brazilian Citizens

Processing times for the UK ETA for Brazilian citizens has a target of three working days. Applicants will often receive a decision sooner, but sometimes it can take a little longer.

The fee for the UK ETA has been set at £70, which includes both the UK government fee and the fee for making use of our professional services.

Travelling to the UK with an ETA: key details

  • Applications for a UK ETA must be completed before arrival at the UK border.
  • UK ETA applications are linked to the specific passport you applied with and you must enter the UK with this passport.
  • At the UK border, simply present your passport and a copy of your ETA approval email.
  • Airlines may also request to see a copy of your ETA approval before allowing you to check in for or board your flight to the UK.

FAQ

A UK ETA is a digital pre-approval authorisation for travellers by the UK government. It being an approval means that the UK government is happy for you to visit, and prevents the need to apply for a visa.

If your UK ETA application is rejected you can still visit the UK. You can either address the reason for the rejection and reapply for an ETA or apply for an appropriate visa instead.

The UK is instigating the ETA scheme for citizens of countries with visa-free travel to the UK including Brazilians looking to visit for short stays of up to six months or transit through the UK. Brazilian passport holders need an ETA for short-stay visits to the UK on or after January 8, 2025. Applications are accepted from November 27, 2024.

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Apply for your UK Electronic Travel Authorization today. Simply fill out the online form to get started.

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