Passports, entry rules & official applications
Start with your citizenship, destination and residence status. The country you depart from does not by itself determine whether you need an ETA or visa.
British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA. This includes dual citizens. British–Norwegian dual citizens cannot apply for an ETA instead of documenting their British citizenship. Normally travel with a valid British passport, or another valid passport containing a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode. Check the official dual-citizen guidance for other accepted arrangements.
Norwegian citizens visiting the UK for tourism or family visits normally need an ETA before travelling, unless an exemption applies. Each traveller who needs an ETA must have their own, including children and babies. A Norwegian residence permit alone does not determine UK entry requirements: other nationalities may need a visa.
Official application
The current fee is £20. Use the official website or the UK ETA app linked there. Apply in good time and allow at least three working days; wait for approval before travelling. Your ETA is linked to your passport and usually lasts two years, or until that passport expires, whichever comes first. Travel with the passport used in your application.
An ETA permits travel to the UK; it does not guarantee admission or permission to work. People with a UK visa or permission to live, work or study in the UK are among those exempt. Check the full official rules for your circumstances.
Apply for an ETA: official GOV.UK serviceNorway belongs to the Schengen area, although it is not an EU member. EU membership and Schengen membership are different, so check each destination, including countries outside Schengen.
EES records entry and exit for travellers within its scope, including many British short-stay visitors. Border checks can include a facial image and fingerprints. Registration is free and is not an ETA application. Allow extra time for border formalities and follow official instructions.
The EU states that ETIAS is not currently operating and is not accepting applications. Once introduced, it will apply to eligible visa-exempt visitors to participating European countries, including Norway, subject to exemptions. Check the official EU site for launch information. UK ETA does not cover travel to Norway or the EU.
Travel with a valid passport and the residence card or other documentation required for your status, including under the Brexit arrangements. Show your residence documentation at the Schengen border so your journey is assessed correctly. Check GOV.UK and UDI before departure, particularly if your card has expired or is being renewed.
Time lawfully spent in Norway under a residence permit or long-stay visa does not count towards the Schengen short-visit allowance. Visits to other Schengen countries remain subject to the applicable short-stay rules. Qualifying residence-permit holders are exempt from EES and from the future ETIAS requirement; check the official exemption guidance for your document.
For the UK leg of your journey, British citizenship means you do not need an ETA. Norwegian family members may need their own ETA or other permission.
