Most visitors who do not need a visa for the UK must now hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. That includes citizens of the US, Canada, Australia and every EU country except Ireland. The ETA costs £20, is applied for through the UK ETA app or GOV.UK, and lasts two years or until your passport expires.
Since 25 February 2026, the UK has fully enforced the rule, so travellers without a required ETA can be stopped from boarding. Below is a clear guide to who needs one, what it costs, how to apply and who is exempt, with figures checked on GOV.UK in October 2026.
- What is a UK ETA?
- Who needs a UK ETA in 2026?
- How the UK ETA was rolled out
- How much does a UK ETA cost?
- How to apply for a UK ETA using the app
- How long does a UK ETA take to process?
- How long does a UK ETA last?
- Who does not need a UK ETA?
- What you can and cannot do with an ETA
- What if your ETA is refused?
- Frequently asked questions
What is a UK ETA?
An ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK. It is not a visa. It is linked electronically to your passport, so there is nothing to print and no sticker or stamp.
Also readEU Entry Exit System Explained: EES Rules, Dates and ETIAS
With an ETA you can visit the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man for up to six months at a time. Permitted reasons include tourism, visiting family or friends, business trips and short courses of study. It also covers transit through a UK airport if you pass through border control.
An ETA does not guarantee entry. Border Force officers still decide whether to let you in when you arrive.
Who needs a UK ETA in 2026?
You need an ETA if you are a national of a country that does not require a UK visa for short visits. According to GOV.UK, this usually covers people from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada and a number of other countries. The official checker at GOV.UK will confirm the answer for your nationality.
Typical travellers who need one include:
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, except Irish citizens
- US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens
- Citizens of the Gulf states, including Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia
- Babies and children of those nationalities: every traveller needs their own ETA
If you are from a country that needs a visa to visit the UK, you apply for a visa instead and do not need an ETA.
How the UK ETA was rolled out
The scheme was introduced in stages. Knowing the dates helps explain why some travellers only met it recently.
| Group | ETA required from |
|---|---|
| Qatar | October 2023 |
| Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE | February 2024 |
| Other non-European eligible nationals (including US, Canada, Australia) | 8 January 2025 |
| European nationals (EU, EEA, Switzerland, except Ireland) | 2 April 2025 |
| Full enforcement, no ETA no boarding | 25 February 2026 |
Until February 2026, there was some flexibility for travellers who arrived without one. That period has ended.
How much does a UK ETA cost?
The fee is £20 per person, as listed on GOV.UK when checked in October 2026. It started at £10, rose to £16 on 9 April 2025 and went up to £20 in February 2026.
The fee is not refundable once you apply, even if the application is refused. GOV.UK warns that other websites may charge more and that paying a third party will not get you a faster decision. Apply only through the official app or GOV.UK. Our guide on how to spot phishing messages explains how copycat sites and messages try to catch travellers out.
How to apply for a UK ETA using the app
The official UK ETA app is available on the App Store and Google Play. It is usually the quickest route because it reads your passport chip and takes your photo for you.
Before you start, have these ready:
- The passport you will travel with
- An email address
- A credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
- Download the app. Install the official UK ETA app from the App Store or Google Play. Avoid lookalike apps that charge extra.
- Scan your passport. Follow the prompts to scan your passport with your phone’s camera. The app guides you through each step.
- Take a face photo. The app captures your face using the front camera. Use good, even light and a plain background.
- Answer the questions. Enter your contact details and answer the questions on the form honestly.
- Pay the £20 fee. Pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- Wait for the email. The decision arrives by email with your ETA reference number. Do not travel until you have it.
Applying online instead
If you cannot use the app, you can apply on GOV.UK. You will need to upload a photo of your passport and a photo of your face that meets the digital photo rules. Poor photos can delay the application or lead to a refusal.
Applying for family members
You can apply for other people, including children. If they are with you, use the app on your phone to scan their passport and face. If they are not with you, apply for them online. Applications made together may get decisions at different times.
How long does a UK ETA take to process?
GOV.UK says most people get a decision by email within one day, though it can take up to three working days. If you have heard nothing after three working days, check your spam folder before contacting UK Visas and Immigration through its webchat. The ETA helpline does not take phone enquiries.
It is sensible to apply as soon as your trip is booked rather than the night before departure.
How long does a UK ETA last?
A UK ETA is valid for two years, or until your passport expires if that is sooner. You can make as many trips as you like during that time, with each visit lasting up to six months.
Because the ETA is linked to a specific passport, getting a new passport means you need a new ETA. You can check the status and expiry date of your ETA on GOV.UK.
| UK ETA quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Fee | £20 (GOV.UK, October 2026) |
| Validity | 2 years or until passport expiry |
| Maximum stay per visit | 6 months |
| Usual decision time | Usually 1 day, up to 3 working days |
| How to apply | UK ETA app or GOV.UK |
| Refund if refused | No |
| Covers | UK, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man |
Who does not need a UK ETA?
GOV.UK lists several groups who are exempt. You do not need an ETA if:
- You are a British or Irish citizen
- You already have a UK visa
- You have permission to live, work or study in the UK, including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode
- You have permission to live, work or study in Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man
- You are waiting for a decision on an EU Settlement Scheme application
- You are transiting through a UK airport without passing through border control (staying airside)
- You are travelling on a British overseas territories citizen passport or a British National (Overseas) passport
- You are a child travelling on the France-UK school trip travel information form
- You are exempt from immigration control
Residents of Ireland
If you live in Ireland and would normally need an ETA, you do not need one when travelling to the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man. This reflects the Common Travel Area between the UK and Ireland.
Dual British citizens
British citizens cannot apply for an ETA. Since 25 February 2026, dual nationals who are British are expected to travel on a valid British passport, or hold a certificate of entitlement in their other passport. Travelling only on a foreign passport may lead to problems at boarding.
What you can and cannot do with an ETA
An ETA allows tourism, family visits, business meetings, short-term study and permitted paid engagements. Creative workers can also use it for stays of up to three months under the creative worker concession.
You cannot use an ETA to:
- Work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, outside the permitted exceptions
- Claim public funds
- Live in the UK through frequent or back-to-back visits
- Marry or register a civil partnership, which needs a Marriage Visitor visa
If you have a criminal record or have been refused entry to the UK before, GOV.UK suggests considering a Standard Visitor visa instead.
What if your ETA is refused?
If your application is refused, you cannot appeal and you will not get the fee back. You can apply for a visitor visa instead. If you made a mistake in your details, you must make a new application and pay again.
Travelling on to Europe after the UK? Read our explainer on the best countries to visit in 2027 for first-time travellers for entry rules elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need an ETA for the UK?
Yes. US citizens have needed an ETA for UK visits since 8 January 2025. It costs £20 and lasts two years or until the passport expires.
Do EU citizens need a UK ETA?
Yes, except Irish citizens. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals have needed an ETA since 2 April 2025, unless they hold UK status such as settled or pre-settled status.
Do babies need a UK ETA?
Yes. Every traveller who needs an ETA must have their own, including babies and children. A parent can apply on their behalf.
Do I need a UK ETA for a connecting flight?
Only if you pass through UK border control. If you stay airside at the airport, you do not need one. Check with your airline if you are unsure.
Can I use my UK ETA for more than one trip?
Yes. You can travel as many times as you like while it is valid, staying up to six months per visit.
Sources: GOV.UK, Electronic travel authorisation; GOV.UK, Apply for an ETA; GOV.UK, When you do not need an ETA; Kingsley Napley, ETA rollout timetable.
