Visas & The ETA Scheme

Most Vagabond & Driftwood tour guests whose itineraries include Northern Ireland (NI) require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

If you are a US, Canadian, Australian or NZ citizen who does not reside in Ireland and you are taking one of these tours that visit Northern Ireland, you will require an ETA prior to travel.

Are you a citizen of the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand?

If so, you DO NOT require a visa to travel to the Republic of Ireland for the sole purpose of tourism.

You need to have been accepted for an ETA before you embark on your trip to the UK, including Northern Ireland.

From 2025 onwards, if you are taking a tour with us that visits Northern Ireland, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) pre-clearance.

Rest assured, the ETA application process is simple and affordable.

The application for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) costs £16 (UK sterling). 

You can apply online or via the UK ETA App:

Before you start the application process for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), you will need the following:

• The passport you will travel with (not a photocopy);

It should take 3 working days to process an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This is an estimate. Real times may vary.

Please be aware, your application may be approved earlier or later than another person in your travelling group who applied at the same time.

You must apply before you depart. However, you can travel to the UK or Northern Ireland while you are awaiting a decision on your application.

The email address you used during your application will receive a notification confirming you've successfully acquired an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Your passport will be digitally linked to the ETA.

Once approved, your Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is valid for 2 years.

A new application for an ETA is required if you obtain a new passport during that period.