Travel Documents for LeShuttle
The documents you need to travel with LeShuttle will vary, depending on your nationality and whether you are travelling to France or the UK. The introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is also changing what’s required for travellers to the UK. Find out more below.
British or Irish passport holders
Passports
- Every UK and Irish passenger must have a valid passport to travel with LeShuttle
- Your passport should be valid for the length of your stay in Europe, have at least 3 months validity left for international travel and must be less than 10 years old.
- Pets also need their own documentation to travel.
If you don’t have a passport yet or your passport needs renewing, please allow plenty of time to apply before your trip.
Visas
- No visa is needed for short visits to EU countries of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This includes time spent across all the EU countries you visit.
- For longer stays or trips for work or business, you may need a visa.
- If your stay will exceed 6 months or doesn’t qualify for an ETA (see below), check if you need a visa on the GOV.UK website.
Advance Passenger Information (API)
Advanced Passenger Information (API) is mandatory
Providing Advance Passenger Information (API) is mandatory for all passengers travelling with LeShuttle. This is a UK Government requirement for anyone entering or leaving the UK. It must be added 24hrs before travel.
API must be completed before you arrive at check-in
To complete API, you are required to provide passport details for every passenger on your booking ahead of arrival at check-in. Failure to provide API for all passengers will mean you will not be able to travel.
How to add your Advanced Passenger Information
You can provide this information online through your LeShuttle account or by adding it to your booking details. By storing your API in your LeShuttle account, you’ll save time on future bookings as the information will be readily available and won’t need to be re-entered. Click here for more information on how to add your API and what details are required.
Entry/Exit System (EES)
In 2025 the EU is introducing the Entry/Exit System (EES), a new way to manage travel across EU borders for non-EU nationals. Visit the official EES website for updates. We’ll provide more information soon as we prepare for this change.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens travelling to the UK
Passports
- For all passengers travelling to the UK, passports are required, including children.
- Your passport doesn’t need to be valid for a minimum number of months to travel, as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay in the UK.
- If you don’t have a passport yet or your passport needs renewing, please allow plenty of time to apply before your trip.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital permission to travel to the UK. It is required for eligible visitors travelling to the UK for short stays of up to 6 months for tourism, visiting friends and family, business or short-term study.
An ETA is not a visa and is electronically linked to the passport used in your application.
Important: If you require an ETA, you must obtain it before travelling to the UK. Customers who require an ETA but do not have one may be unable to travel.
You do not need an ETA if you:
Do children need an ETA?
Yes. Unless exempt, all travellers require an ETA regardless of their age, including babies and children.
How much does an ETA cost?
An ETA costs £20 per person and is electronically linked to your passport.
How long is an ETA valid for?
An ETA is valid for:
You can travel to the UK multiple times during the validity period, provided each visit complies with UK immigration requirements.
When can I apply?
You can apply now via the UK Government website or the official UK ETA app.
We recommend applying as early as possible and, where practical, before booking your trip.
Most applications are processed within 3 working days, although many travellers receive a decision sooner.
For your security, only apply through official UK Government channels.
I have dual nationality. What should I do?
If you hold British or Irish citizenship as one of your nationalities, you cannot apply for an ETA.
When travelling to the UK, you should use:
Your ETA is linked to the passport used when you applied.
If you receive a new passport after obtaining your ETA, you may need to apply for a new ETA before travelling.
Do I need a visa instead?
An ETA is intended for eligible visitors staying in the UK for up to 6 months.
If you plan to:
Please check the latest UK Government guidance before travelling.
An ETA is not a visa and is electronically linked to the passport used in your application.
Important: If you require an ETA, you must obtain it before travelling to the UK. Customers who require an ETA but do not have one may be unable to travel.
Do I need an ETA?
From 2 April 2025, most European travellers visiting the UK require an ETA.You do not need an ETA if you:
- Have a British passport.
- Have an Irish passport.
- Have a UK visa.
- Have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status).
- Qualify for another exemption under UK Government rules.
Do children need an ETA?
Yes. Unless exempt, all travellers require an ETA regardless of their age, including babies and children.
How much does an ETA cost?
An ETA costs £20 per person and is electronically linked to your passport.
How long is an ETA valid for?
An ETA is valid for:
- Up to 2 years, or
- Until the passport it is linked to expires,
You can travel to the UK multiple times during the validity period, provided each visit complies with UK immigration requirements.
When can I apply?
You can apply now via the UK Government website or the official UK ETA app.
We recommend applying as early as possible and, where practical, before booking your trip.
Most applications are processed within 3 working days, although many travellers receive a decision sooner.
For your security, only apply through official UK Government channels.
I have dual nationality. What should I do?
If you hold British or Irish citizenship as one of your nationalities, you cannot apply for an ETA.
When travelling to the UK, you should use:
- A valid British passport; or
- A valid Irish passport; or
- Other accepted proof of British citizenship recognised by the UK Government.
Your ETA is linked to the passport used when you applied.
If you receive a new passport after obtaining your ETA, you may need to apply for a new ETA before travelling.
Do I need a visa instead?
An ETA is intended for eligible visitors staying in the UK for up to 6 months.
If you plan to:
- Stay longer than 6 months, or
- Travel for a purpose not covered by the ETA scheme,
Please check the latest UK Government guidance before travelling.
Visas
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens travelling to the UK do not usually need a visa, if their stay is shorter than 6 months and they are travelling for a holiday, work or study purposes. If you plan to stay for longer, or are travelling for reasons other than leisure, work or study, check the visa requirements.
Advanced Passenger Information (API)
Advanced Passenger Information (API) is mandatory
Providing Advance Passenger Information (API) is mandatory for all passengers travelling with LeShuttle. This is a UK Government requirement for anyone entering or leaving the UK. It must be added 24hrs before travel.
API must be completed before you arrive at check-in
To complete API, you are required to provide passport details for every passenger on your booking ahead of arrival at check-in. Failure to provide API for all passengers will mean you will not be able to travel.
How to add your Advanced Passenger Information
You can provide this information online through your LeShuttle account or by adding it to your booking details. By storing your API in your LeShuttle account, you’ll save time on future bookings as the information will be readily available and won’t need to be re-entered. Click here for more information on how to add your API and what details are required.
Providing Advance Passenger Information (API) is mandatory for all passengers travelling with LeShuttle. This is a UK Government requirement for anyone entering or leaving the UK. It must be added 24hrs before travel.
API must be completed before you arrive at check-in
To complete API, you are required to provide passport details for every passenger on your booking ahead of arrival at check-in. Failure to provide API for all passengers will mean you will not be able to travel.
How to add your Advanced Passenger Information
You can provide this information online through your LeShuttle account or by adding it to your booking details. By storing your API in your LeShuttle account, you’ll save time on future bookings as the information will be readily available and won’t need to be re-entered. Click here for more information on how to add your API and what details are required.
Non-EU nationals travelling to the UK
Passports
All non-EU nationals travelling to the UK with LeShuttle will require a valid passport.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
All the above information about the ETA scheme for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens applies, but the dates for travel and applications are different. Non-EU nationals will need an ETA for travel to the UK from 8 January 2025, and can apply for their ETA now.
Visas
If your stay is for longer than 6 months, you will need a visa. Depending on the nature of your stay in the UK, different types of visa are available.
Advanced Passenger Information (API)
Advanced Passenger Information (API) is mandatory
Providing Advance Passenger Information (API) is mandatory for all passengers travelling with LeShuttle. This is a UK Government requirement for anyone entering or leaving the UK. It must be added 24hrs before travel.
API must be completed before you arrive at check-in
To complete API, you are required to provide passport details for every passenger on your booking ahead of arrival at check-in. Failure to provide API for all passengers will mean you will not be able to travel.
How to add your Advanced Passenger Information
You can provide this information online through your LeShuttle account or by adding it to your booking details. By storing your API in your LeShuttle account, you’ll save time on future bookings as the information will be readily available and won’t need to be re-entered. Click here for more information on how to add your API and what details are required.
Providing Advance Passenger Information (API) is mandatory for all passengers travelling with LeShuttle. This is a UK Government requirement for anyone entering or leaving the UK. It must be added 24hrs before travel.
API must be completed before you arrive at check-in
To complete API, you are required to provide passport details for every passenger on your booking ahead of arrival at check-in. Failure to provide API for all passengers will mean you will not be able to travel.
How to add your Advanced Passenger Information
You can provide this information online through your LeShuttle account or by adding it to your booking details. By storing your API in your LeShuttle account, you’ll save time on future bookings as the information will be readily available and won’t need to be re-entered. Click here for more information on how to add your API and what details are required.
Gulf Cooperation Council nationals
Passports
Gulf Cooperation Council nationals are citizens of the following countries: Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. All Gulf Cooperation Council nationals travelling to the UK with LeShuttle require a valid passport.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Gulf Cooperation Council countries were the first to become eligible for the ETA scheme. Nationals of these countries travelling to the UK need to apply for an ETA. The ETA replaces a visa for Gulf Cooperation Council nationals visiting the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, business or short-term study.
Visas
If you are a Gulf Cooperation Council national and your stay in the UK is for longer than 6 months, you will need a visa. Depending on the nature of your stay in the UK, different types of visa are available.
Advanced Passenger Information (API)
Advanced Passenger Information (API) is mandatory
Providing Advance Passenger Information (API) is mandatory for all passengers travelling with LeShuttle. This is a UK Government requirement for anyone entering or leaving the UK. It must be added 24hrs before travel.
API must be completed before you arrive at check-in
To complete API, you are required to provide passport details for every passenger on your booking ahead of arrival at check-in. Failure to provide API for all passengers will mean you will not be able to travel.
How to add your Advanced Passenger Information
You can provide this information online through your LeShuttle account or by adding it to your booking details. By storing your API in your LeShuttle account, you’ll save time on future bookings as the information will be readily available and won’t need to be re-entered. Click here for more information on how to add your API and what details are required.
Providing Advance Passenger Information (API) is mandatory for all passengers travelling with LeShuttle. This is a UK Government requirement for anyone entering or leaving the UK. It must be added 24hrs before travel.
API must be completed before you arrive at check-in
To complete API, you are required to provide passport details for every passenger on your booking ahead of arrival at check-in. Failure to provide API for all passengers will mean you will not be able to travel.
How to add your Advanced Passenger Information
You can provide this information online through your LeShuttle account or by adding it to your booking details. By storing your API in your LeShuttle account, you’ll save time on future bookings as the information will be readily available and won’t need to be re-entered. Click here for more information on how to add your API and what details are required.