• MMC

United Kingdom: ETA, a New Challenge for Managing International Mobility

Since April 2025, the United Kingdom has required all European travellers to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to entry, including for short-term business trips. This new requirement directly affects international mobility management, reinforcing the need to inform and raise awareness among employees about updated travel formalities.

Stricter Controls, Shared Responsibility

While the ETA is relatively quick to obtain—an online application with a response time of 48 to 72 hours—it has become a critical requirement: without it, an employee cannot board a flight or carry out a mission in the UK.

The scope of the requirement is broad, covering travel for meetings, conferences, temporary assignments, and even transit through the UK.
The risk: forgetfulness or lack of anticipation may lead to delays or last-minute travel disruptions.

Who Is Affected?

Any teams likely to travel to or transit through the United Kingdom must plan for this new step:

• Nationals of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland,
• Employees on short-term business assignments.

Exempt from this requirement are: holders of a UK visa, individuals with Settled or Pre-Settled status, and those holding a British or Irish passport.

For HR: A Key Awareness Role

Even though HR teams in charge of international mobility may not always be directly involved in organizing business travel, they can play a key role by:

• Communicating the ETA requirement to all relevant employees,
• Including ETA information in internal business travel or mobility guides,
• Encouraging early planning to avoid unexpected issues.

ETA: A Sign of Increasingly Regulated International Mobility

The introduction of ETA reflects a broader trend: international mobility, even for short distances and durations, is becoming more regulated and structured.

Companies must therefore strengthen their ability to support and equip employees to travel efficiently within this new administrative framework.

ETA is more than just an additional formality—it is a signal that travel flexibility now relies on better anticipation and stronger internal communication.

By raising awareness, HR teams help maintain the smooth execution of international projects, reduce risk, and support the dynamic of a globally engaged organization.