Understanding the Impact of the New UK Electronic Travel Authorisation on Hong Kong Identity Card Holders

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules and visa requirements are subject to change. You should verify all details with the UK Home Office or consult a licensed immigration adviser for your specific circumstances.

The United Kingdom’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, phased in from late 2023 and fully expanded in 2025, fundamentally alters the pre-travel requirements for millions of non-visa nationals. For holders of a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport, a British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport, or a Hong Kong permanent identity card, this change is not a minor administrative update. It is a structural shift in the immigration relationship between Hong Kong and the UK, with direct consequences for transit passengers, short-term visitors, and those holding dual nationality or residency status. The UK Home Office confirmed in its February 2025 guidance that the ETA mandate now applies to all previously visa-exempt travellers, including those from Hong Kong, who do not hold a valid UK visa or other form of immigration permission. This article explains the current rules, the eligibility criteria, and the practical steps every Hong Kong identity card holder must take before travel.

The ETA Requirement: Who Is Affected and Who Is Exempt

The Universal Mandate for Non-Visa Nationals

The UK ETA is a digital permission to travel, linked electronically to a traveller’s passport. It is not a visa. The legislation governing the scheme is the Immigration and Nationality (Electronic Travel Authorisation) (Amendment) Order 2023, which amended the Immigration (Electronic Travel Authorisation) Order 2019. As of 8 January 2025, all non-visa nationals—including citizens of Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan—must obtain an ETA before travelling to the UK for tourism, business (up to six months), short-term study, or transit.

The UK Home Office’s published statistics for 2024 recorded over 1.2 million visits to the UK from Hong Kong passport holders. Every one of those travellers, absent a valid visa, now requires an ETA. The application is made online via the official UK government website or the UK ETA mobile app. The fee is £10 per person (as of March 2025). The authorisation is valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and permits multiple entries for stays of up to six months per visit.

Exemptions: Who Does Not Need an ETA

Certain categories of travellers are exempt from the ETA requirement. These include:

• Holders of a valid UK visa (including a visitor visa, work visa, or student visa).
• Holders of a biometric residence permit (BRP) or a biometric residence card (BRC).
• Holders of a valid BNO visa (which is a form of immigration permission, not a passport).
• Individuals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
• Diplomatic or official passport holders on government business.

For Hong Kong identity card holders, the critical distinction lies in the type of travel document used. A person travelling on a BNO passport who does not hold a BNO visa or any other UK immigration permission must apply for an ETA. Conversely, a person who holds a BNO visa—granted under the BNO visa route launched in January 2021—does not need an ETA, as the visa itself serves as the entry clearance.

The Transit Conundrum: Airside vs. Landside

A common point of confusion involves transit passengers. The UK ETA is required for airside transit (where a passenger changes flights without passing through UK border control) if the traveller is a non-visa national and does not hold a UK visa. This rule applies to Hong Kong passport holders transiting through Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester en route to a third country.

The UK Home Office’s published guidance states that a transit visa is not required for certain nationalities, but the ETA has effectively replaced that exemption. A Hong Kong passport holder transiting through London to New York must now hold an ETA. The only exception is for travellers who hold a valid UK visa or who are transiting through a UK port as part of a cruise. Failure to obtain an ETA before departure will result in the airline denying boarding.

Practical Application Process for Hong Kong Residents

Step-by-Step Application Procedure

The ETA application is straightforward but requires attention to detail. The process is:

1. Prepare your passport. The passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. The ETA is linked to the passport number; if you renew your passport, you must apply for a new ETA.
2. Complete the online application. The form asks for personal details, passport information, employment history, and a declaration of any criminal convictions. You must also answer questions about your travel history and any previous immigration refusals.
3. Pay the fee. The current fee is £10. Payment is accepted via credit or debit card.
4. Receive the decision. The UK Home Office states that most applications are processed within three working days. However, the official guidance recommends applying at least three weeks before travel to allow for delays or additional checks.

Common Pitfalls for Hong Kong Applicants

Several issues arise specifically for Hong Kong identity card holders.

First, dual passport holders. A person holding both an HKSAR passport and a BNO passport must apply for the ETA using the passport they intend to travel on. If they travel on the BNO passport, that passport must be valid. If they travel on the HKSAR passport, that passport must be valid. The ETA does not transfer between passports.

Second, the Hong Kong permanent identity card. The ETA is a travel authorisation linked to a passport, not to an identity card. Holding a Hong Kong permanent identity card does not exempt a person from the ETA requirement. The card is not a travel document recognised by the UK for entry clearance purposes.

Third, previous UK visa refusals. The ETA application asks about prior refusals of entry to the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or any Schengen state. Failure to disclose a previous refusal—even if it was years ago—can lead to the ETA being refused or cancelled. The UK Home Office has access to global immigration databases.

Processing Times and Urgent Travel

For urgent travel, the UK Home Office does not offer a premium or expedited ETA service. The standard processing time is three working days. In practice, many applications are approved within hours. However, the Home Office’s own service standards allow up to three weeks if additional checks are required.

Travellers should not book non-refundable flights or accommodation until the ETA is granted. If an application is refused, the traveller must apply for a standard visitor visa, which takes longer and costs more. The visitor visa fee for a Hong Kong applicant is £115 (as of March 2025), and processing times range from three to eight weeks.

Implications for Hong Kong Passport Holders and BNO Visa Holders

The BNO Visa Route: A Separate System

The BNO visa route, introduced under the Immigration Rules on 31 January 2021, remains a distinct immigration pathway. Holders of a BNO visa are not required to obtain an ETA because their visa constitutes valid immigration permission. However, the BNO passport itself does not confer any immigration status. A person holding a BNO passport but who has not applied for or been granted a BNO visa must obtain an ETA for short-term visits.

According to the UK Home Office’s quarterly statistics for Q4 2024, over 200,000 BNO visa applications had been received from Hong Kong since the route opened. The overwhelming majority of those applicants hold a BNO passport. For these individuals, the ETA is irrelevant for travel to the UK because they already hold a visa. However, if a BNO visa holder travels on their HKSAR passport for a short trip, they would need an ETA unless they also hold a valid BNO visa linked to that passport.

The Impact on Hong Kong Permanent Residents Without Right of Abroad

Hong Kong permanent residents who do not hold a BNO passport or any other UK-linked nationality are subject to the same ETA rules as any other non-visa national. The UK Home Office’s published list of countries and territories whose passport holders require an ETA includes “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport.”

This means that a Hong Kong permanent resident holding only an HKSAR passport must apply for an ETA before every trip to the UK, unless they obtain a visitor visa. The ETA is valid for two years, so frequent travellers benefit from a single application.

The Risk of Overstaying and the ETA’s Validity Period

The ETA permits multiple entries for stays of up to six months per visit. It does not allow the holder to work, study for more than six months, or access public funds. Overstaying the six-month limit—even by a single day—can result in the ETA being cancelled and a future visa application being refused.

The UK Home Office’s published guidance states that an ETA may be cancelled if the holder is found to have breached immigration rules, including overstaying or working without permission. Hong Kong travellers should keep careful records of their entry and exit dates.

Actionable Takeaways

1. Every Hong Kong passport holder travelling to the UK for tourism, business, or transit must obtain an ETA before departure, unless they hold a valid UK visa or BNO visa.
2. Apply for the ETA at least three weeks before travel, using the exact passport you will travel on, and do not book non-refundable tickets until the ETA is granted.
3. If you hold both an HKSAR passport and a BNO passport, apply for the ETA using the passport you intend to use for entry, as the authorisation does not transfer between documents.
4. For transit passengers changing flights in the UK, an ETA is mandatory; there is no airside transit exemption for Hong Kong passport holders.
5. If you have a previous UK visa refusal or any criminal conviction, disclose it honestly on the ETA application to avoid refusal or cancellation.