Suitability Criteria for an ETA
To be granted an ETA, applicants must satisfy the following suitability criteria:
1- Exclusion or Deportation Grounds: The application will be refused if the Secretary of State has
directed the applicant's exclusion from the UK, or if the applicant is subject to an exclusion or
deportation order.
2- Criminality Grounds: The application will be denied if the applicant has been convicted of a
criminal offense in the UK or abroad, resulting in a custodial sentence of 12 months or more, or
if less than 12 months have passed since a conviction.
3- Non-Conducive Grounds: If the applicant’s presence in the UK is deemed not conducive to the
public good due to their behavior, character, associations, or other reasons, the application will
be refused.
4- Previous Breach of Immigration Laws: If the applicant, when aged 18 or over, has overstayed
their permission, breached conditions of their stay, been an illegal entrant, or used deception in
an immigration application, the ETA will be denied.
5- False Representations: If false representations, documents, or information were submitted
during the current or a previous ETA application, or if relevant facts were not disclosed, the
application will be refused.
6- Debt to the NHS: The application will be denied if the applicant has outstanding NHS charges
totaling at least £500.
7- Unpaid Litigation Costs: The application will be refused if the applicant has not paid litigation
costs awarded to the Home Office.
Duration of an ETA
An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is valid for two years from the date it is issued or until the
expiration of the passport used during the application, whichever occurs first. With a valid ETA, the
holder can make multiple trips to the UK, each time requesting permission to enter as either:
1- A visitor, allowing stays of up to 6 months per visit, or
2- A Creative Worker entering the UK under Appendix Temporary Work – Creative Worker as per
CRV 3.2.
