VISA and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

IMPORTANT - National ID cards are no longer accepted for travel. A valid passport is required.

NEW - Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

From November 2023, the UK Government has started to introduce an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). The scheme is broadly for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays to the UK, or do not already have a UK immigration status prior to travelling. It will eventually be, required by anyone entering the UK apart from those with:

  • A British or Irish passport
  • Permission to live, work or study in the UK
  • A visa to enter the UK

The ETA scheme is open to Qatari nationals, who can now apply and will require an ETA to travel to the UK on or after 15 November 2023. Other nationalities do not need to apply yet. 

Timeline

  • From 15 November 2023 – nationals of Qatar
  • From 22 February 2024 – nationals of Bahrain / Jordan / Kuwait / Oman / Saudi Arabia / UAE. These nationalities will be able to apply from 1 February 2024
  • If you are a national of another country, you do not need an ETA at this stage, however you might require a visa. Visit www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa to find out more.

Process, Validity and Fees

Simply apply via the ETA App or online - https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/how-to-apply 
A decision is usually made within 3 working days
The ETA is linked to your passport and lasts 2 years or to the expiry of your passport, whatever comes first. 
The cost of an ETA is £10 per person, including for babies and children.

VIDEO – Watch this useful video on how to apply for ETA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG1zaOMl63M
 

VISA

Not all visitors to the UK require a visa, however we strongly advise you to find out if you need a visa to enter the UK as early as possible, and should a visa be required, to apply as soon as possible as the process can take up to 20 working days.

Process
The following link will tell you if a visa is needed and explain the process www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application centre (VAC – see below) as part of your application. The application will not be submitted until that process has been completed. You will be able to book an appointment to provide your biometric information at the end of the online application. 

Find details of your nearest visa application centre using this link https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre. 

In those countries where there is no visa application centre, you may find a Temporary Enrolment Location is available on given days or you may need to travel to a nearby country where a visa application centre is available.  Should you live in a country where no visa application centre is available you should take account of additional timescales for biometric submission when considering when to apply.

In support of your application, you should gather evidence of your circumstances, employment, ability to meet the costs of the trip and the arrangements in the UK. More details can be found via this link to the guide to supporting documents https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visitor-visa-guide-to-supporting-documents

If you have already registered for the conference, we would strongly recommend that you include a copy of the registration confirmation letter together with conference invitation letter to these documents. 

IMPORTANT UPDATE on E-GATES:

Visitors from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States of America will now be able to use e-gates upon arrival in the UK. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to apply for a Standard visa?
As of October 2023, the cost for a Standard visa is £115 per person.

When should I apply for my visa and how long will my application take? 
The process can take up to 20 working days from submitting biometrics, but we recommend that applications are made as early as possible, from up to 3 months before the congress and allowing at least four weeks. In many locations, for an additional fee, delegates may be able to use our Priority and Super Priority visa service.

I am applying late – what is a Priority and Super Priority Service?
Priority service means that the UK Visa and Immigration office will aim to make a decision on your application in 5 working days, this service is available in over 200 locations. Super Priority service reduces this to the end of the next working day, this service is available in around 20 locations. Both services are charged at an additional fee. Some applications may take longer if they are complex, please check the visa application centres website for any further information.

Fees - Fees for Priority and Super Priority Services apply in addition to the Standard visa fee, as follows: £500 for Priority and £1,000 for Super Priority.
 

Invitation Letters

A letter of invitation is provided only after you have completed registration for the conference and paid the conference registration fee. Such a letter may be needed to obtain a visa or permission to attend the meeting. If you require an invitation letter please contact Brittany Woods via email. The letter will be provided by email. In your email, provide the following information:

  • Complete name
  • Mailing address
  • Accepted paper number (if applicable)
  • Accepted paper title (if applicable)
  • Any other details that your country of residence requires for your visa application.

The Conference cannot contact or intervene with any Embassy or Consulate office abroad on your behalf so please begin your visa application process as soon as you determine that you want to attend IEEE EDUCON 2025. Please provide as much information as possible to avoid delays in receiving your letter.

You must register for the conference and pay in full before requesting an invitation letter. Once the letter is issued, a refund cannot be granted per IEEE Policy.

We suggest that you leave ample time to apply and obtain your VISA.