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 6 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)
Providing Advance Passenger Information (API) is mandatory for all passengers traveling with LeShuttle. This is a UK Home Office requirement for anyone entering or leaving the UK. You must submit passport details for all travelers before your journey.
You can provide this information online at any time 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.
Failure to provide your API in advance will result in delays, as you will be stopped at check-in and required to update your booking with the necessary details before proceeding with your journey.
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 ETA is a digital travel permit required for short stays in the UK (up to 6 months) for purposes like tourism, visiting friends and family, business, or short-term studies.
When do I need an ETA?
From 2 April 2025, European travellers to the UK will need an ETA, including children and babies. British and Irish passport holders, and some other exemptions, do not need an ETA. If you’re travelling before 2 April 2025, you won’t need an ETA.
How long is it valid?
An ETA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner.
When can I apply for an ETA?
Applications open on 5 March 2025. Apply before booking your trip, if possible. Most applications are processed within 3 days, but you may get a quicker decision.
How much does it cost?
An ETA costs £10 per person and is electronically linked to your passport.
When do I need an ETA?
From 2 April 2025, European travellers to the UK will need an ETA, including children and babies. British and Irish passport holders, and some other exemptions, do not need an ETA. If you’re travelling before 2 April 2025, you won’t need an ETA.
How long is it valid?
An ETA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner.
When can I apply for an ETA?
Applications open on 5 March 2025. Apply before booking your trip, if possible. Most applications are processed within 3 days, but you may get a quicker decision.
How much does it cost?
An ETA costs £10 per person and is electronically linked to your passport.
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)
Ahead of your journey, you will need to provide passport details for all travellers. This is called Advance Passenger Information (API) and is a UK Home Office requirement for all passengers leaving or entering the UK. You can provide this information online in your LeShuttle account or with your booking details at any time before you travel.
If you opt to store your Advance Passenger Information in your LeShuttle account, you can easily use it again on future bookings without having to re-enter it every time.
If you do not provide your API in advance, you may be stopped at check-in and asked to add it to your booking before continuing your journey.
If you opt to store your Advance Passenger Information in your LeShuttle account, you can easily use it again on future bookings without having to re-enter it every time.
If you do not provide your API in advance, you may be stopped at check-in and asked to add it to your booking before continuing your journey.
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)
Ahead of your journey, you will need to provide passport details for all travellers. This is called Advance Passenger Information (API) and is a UK Home Office requirement for all passengers leaving or entering the UK. You can provide this information online in your LeShuttle account or with your booking details at any time before you travel.
If you opt to store your Advance Passenger Information in your LeShuttle account, you can easily use it again on future bookings without having to re-enter it every time.
If you do not provide your API in advance, you may be stopped at check-in and asked to add it to your booking before continuing your journey.
If you opt to store your Advance Passenger Information in your LeShuttle account, you can easily use it again on future bookings without having to re-enter it every time.
If you do not provide your API in advance, you may be stopped at check-in and asked to add it to your booking before continuing your journey.
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)
Ahead of your journey, you will need to provide passport details for all travellers. This is called Advance Passenger Information (API) and is a UK Home Office requirement for all passengers leaving or entering the UK. You can provide this information online in your LeShuttle account or with your booking details at any time before you travel.
If you opt to store your Advance Passenger Information in your LeShuttle account, you can easily use it again on future bookings without having to re-enter it every time.
If you do not provide your API in advance, you may be stopped at check-in and asked to add it to your booking before continuing your journey.
If you opt to store your Advance Passenger Information in your LeShuttle account, you can easily use it again on future bookings without having to re-enter it every time.
If you do not provide your API in advance, you may be stopped at check-in and asked to add it to your booking before continuing your journey.