UK ETA: who needs one, what it costs and how to apply
The UK's electronic travel authorisation costs £20 and is now required before boarding. Who needs one, how to apply, how long it takes and how long it lasts.
The essentials: visitors who do not need a visa for the UK, including travellers from the European Union, the United States, Canada and Australia, must hold an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before they set off. Since 25 February 2026, carriers check for it before boarding. An ETA costs £20, usually takes less than a day to obtain and lasts two years.
Who needs a UK ETA?
According to GOV.UK, you usually need an ETA rather than a visa if you are from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries, and you are coming for tourism, to visit family or for certain other short-term reasons. The Home Office said in November 2025 that the scheme covers visitors from 85 nationalities. The official “check if you need a UK visa” tool on GOV.UK gives the answer for each nationality.
You do not need an ETA if you have:
- a British or Irish passport, including if you are a dual citizen;
- permission to live, work or study in the UK, such as a visa or an eVisa.
Every traveller needs their own ETA, including babies and children. You can apply on behalf of other people.
The scheme was introduced in stages, according to Wikipedia’s record of official announcements:
| Date | Who |
|---|---|
| 15 November 2023 | Qatar |
| 22 February 2024 | Other Gulf states |
| 8 January 2025 | Non-European visa-exempt nationals, including the US, Canada and Australia |
| 2 April 2025 | European nationals, including EU citizens (except Irish) |
| 25 February 2026 | Full enforcement: no travel without an ETA or other permission |
Before February 2026 the ETA was not strictly enforced. Since then, the Home Office says, visitors “will not be able to legally travel to the UK” without one, and carriers check permission before departure.
How much does a UK ETA cost?
An ETA costs £20, whether you apply online or through the app, according to GOV.UK. The fee cannot be refunded once you have applied, even if the application is refused.
The price has risen twice since the scheme launched:
| Period | Fee |
|---|---|
| Launch (2023) | £10 |
| From 9 April 2025 | £16 |
| From 8 April 2026 | £20 |
GOV.UK warns that other websites may charge more and advises avoiding sites that imitate government services. The only official routes are the GOV.UK website and the UK ETA app.
How do you apply?
There are two official ways:
- The UK ETA app, available on Google Play and the App Store. You scan your passport and your face with your phone’s camera. Wikipedia notes that the app also reads the passport’s chip when there is one.
- The online form on GOV.UK, where you upload a photo of the passport and of the applicant’s face. Use it if you cannot download the app, or if you are applying for someone who is not with you.
You will need:
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport | The one you will travel with |
| Email address | The decision is sent by email |
| Payment | Credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay |
| Photo | A photo or scan of the traveller’s face; according to Wikipedia, not required for children aged 9 or under |
You also answer questions about your background, such as criminal convictions. Applicants under 18 must give the contact details of someone with parental responsibility, Wikipedia notes.
How long does it take, and how long does it last?
You will usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days, according to GOV.UK. You must wait for the email confirming your ETA before travelling. If nothing arrives after 3 working days, check your spam folder before contacting UK Visas and Immigration, which handles ETA questions by webchat but not by phone.
An approved ETA lasts two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It is linked to the passport you applied with, so a new passport means a new ETA. During that time you can make as many trips as you like, each of up to six months, to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
What about transit?
If you change planes at a UK airport and pass through border control, sometimes called landside transit, you need an ETA, says GOV.UK. If you stay airside without going through border control, eligible travellers are exempt for now, according to Wikipedia, which describes the exemption as temporary and under review. GOV.UK advises checking with your airline if you are unsure.
What an ETA does not do
An ETA is permission to travel, not a visa:
- it does not guarantee entry: you can still be refused at the border;
- it is not a residence or work permit;
- it does not cover stays longer than six months.
If an application is refused, you can apply again, paying the fee again, or apply for a visa instead.
The European Union is preparing a similar scheme for visitors to the Schengen area, ETIAS, which still has no launch date: see what travellers to Europe need to know about ETIAS.
