If you are visiting the UK and do not need a visa, you now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you travel. This guide explains who needs one, who does not, how much it costs, how long it lasts and what to do if something goes wrong. We use GOV.UK and Home Office pages only.
Key points
- In force now: an ETA costs £20 and is needed from 25 February 2026 by visitors who do not need a visa (GOV.UK ETA guide, updated 27 October 2026; GOV.UK announcement).
- It lasts 2 years, or until your passport expires, and allows stays of up to 6 months at a time (GOV.UK ETA guide).
- Everyone needs their own, including babies and children (GOV.UK ETA guide).
- An ETA does not guarantee entry. It is not a visa. Without one you will not be allowed to board (Home Office ETA factsheet (April 2026)).
- If you are a “visa national” you need a visa instead. Check at GOV.UK check if you need a UK visa.
What is a UK ETA?
An ETA is digital permission to travel to the UK. It covers the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It is linked to the passport you used to apply, and you should travel with that passport (GOV.UK ETA guide; Home Office ETA factsheet (April 2026)).
Who needs an ETA?
You need one if you are visiting and you are not British or Irish, do not hold a UK visa, and are not a visa national. Visitors who need an ETA are those who can travel to the UK without a visa. The check tool on GOV.UK tells you which applies to you (GOV.UK ETA guide).
Who does not need an ETA?
- British and Irish citizens. Dual British citizens cannot get an ETA and should travel with a British passport, a certificate of entitlement or an Irish passport.
- People with a UK visa or permission to live, work or study, and people with settled or pre-settled status.
- People with right of abode.
- People in airside transit, such as changing planes without passing through border control.
- British overseas territories citizens and British National (Overseas) passport holders.
- People who live in Ireland, are from a country that would normally need an ETA, and are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man (you may need to show proof you live in Ireland), and people waiting for an EU Settlement Scheme decision.
This list is summarised from the GOV.UK ETA guide. Check the page for the full list.
How much does an ETA cost and how long does it take?
An ETA costs £20 per person. It is not refundable. A decision is usually made within a day and can take up to 3 working days. You get a 16-digit reference by email (GOV.UK ETA guide). The Home Office factsheet says most app decisions are automatic and take minutes, but advises applying at least 3 working days before you travel (Home Office ETA factsheet (April 2026)).
Worked example (illustration)
This uses the official fees but is not a real case. A family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) visiting from a country where an ETA is accepted pays 4 × £20 = £80. A family from a visa-national country applying for 4 Standard Visitor visas pays 4 × £135 = £540 (Standard Visitor visa page). Each family member applies and pays separately.
How do I apply?
- Get the passport you will travel with, an email address and a payment card, Apple Pay or Google Pay (GOV.UK ETA guide).
- Apply through the official GOV.UK route. Use the app or the GOV.UK page. Other websites charge more and imitate the government (GOV.UK ETA guide).
- Answer the questions, including suitability and criminality questions.
- Pay £20. Wait for the confirmation email before you book non-refundable travel.
- Keep the reference. Without a valid ETA you will not be allowed to board (Home Office ETA factsheet (April 2026)).
Do children and babies need an ETA?
Yes. Every traveller needs one, including babies and children. You can apply on behalf of other people (GOV.UK ETA guide).
What can I do with an ETA?
You can visit for tourism, visit family and friends, do business, study for a short time, transit, and, for up to 3 months, work under the Creative Worker concession. Permitted paid engagements are also allowed. You cannot stay more than 6 months at a time, work (except those allowed), claim public funds, live in the UK through frequent or successive visits, or marry (you need a Marriage Visitor visa for that) (GOV.UK ETA guide).
What is the difference between an ETA and a visit visa?
| ETA | Standard Visitor visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | People who do not need a visa | People who need a visa to visit |
| Cost | £20 | £135 |
| Process | Online or in the app, decision usually within a day | Online, plus an appointment at a visa application centre. Decision usually within 3 weeks |
| Length | Up to 6 months per visit, for 2 years | Up to 6 months |
Standard Visitor applicants can apply up to 3 months before travel and need documents such as travel dates, accommodation, trip costs, home address, income and travel history (Standard Visitor visa page). A successful visa application gives you an eVisa. An ETA does not need an eVisa (eVisa guide). See our eVisa guide.
What if my ETA is refused?
If it is rejected, you can apply again. The Home Office factsheet says a refusal cannot be appealed and that you would need to apply for a visa (Home Office ETA factsheet (April 2026)). If you have a criminal record or a previous refusal, GOV.UK suggests considering a Standard Visitor visa (GOV.UK ETA guide).
What if I get a new passport or my details change?
Your ETA is linked to the passport you used. GOV.UK says that if details change, you must apply again (GOV.UK ETA guide).
Do I need an ETA for transit?
Airside transit is exempt. If you pass through border control (landside transit), you need an ETA (GOV.UK ETA guide).
What should I check before I travel?
- Your ETA is linked to the passport you will actually use. Check the passport number on the confirmation email.
- Your ETA is still valid. It lasts 2 years or until the passport expires.
- Your trip fits the rules: no more than 6 months, and no work except what is allowed.
- You have a confirmation email or reference. You can use the “Check My ETA” service to see your status (Home Office ETA factsheet (April 2026)).
Common mistakes
- Using a lookalike website and paying more than £20.
- Applying the day before you fly.
- Travelling on a different passport from the one on the ETA.
- Getting an ETA when you need a visa, or when you are exempt, such as someone with a UK visa.
- Forgetting about children.
- Assuming it lets you work or stay long term.
Key dates
| Date | What happens | Status |
|---|---|---|
| October 2023 to the end of 2025 | 24.8 million ETAs issued (Home Office ETA factsheet (April 2026)) | Past |
| 25 February 2026 | ETA mandatory for those who need one (GOV.UK) | In force |
| Reviewed | The Home Office says the ETA cost is kept under review (Home Office ETA factsheet (April 2026)) | Not announced |
Frequently asked questions
How much is a UK ETA?
£20 per person.
How long does an ETA last?
2 years, or until your passport expires if that is sooner. Each visit can be up to 6 months.
Can I apply for someone else?
Yes, you can apply for others, and you must apply for each traveller, including children.
Is an ETA a visa?
No. It is digital permission to travel. It does not guarantee entry when you arrive.
Do I need an ETA if I live in Ireland?
You do not need one if you are from a country that would normally need an ETA and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man. You may need to show proof that you live in Ireland. If you are from a country that needs a visa, you must apply for a visa instead (GOV.UK ETA guide).
What if I do not get my email?
Wait for the confirmation email. GOV.UK says UKVI does not help with ETA queries by phone, so use webchat.
Related Visa Tide guides
- UK eVisa guide
- UK visa fees and the healthcare surcharge
- UK immigration rule changes: October 2026 and key dates
This is general information, not immigration advice. Check GOV.UK or speak to an IAA-regulated adviser for your situation.
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Sources
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) – GOV.UK guide, updated 27 October 2026
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet, April 2026 – Home Office Media blog
- Standard Visitor visa – GOV.UK, updated 13 October 2026
- ETA announcement – GOV.UK
- Check if you need a UK visa – GOV.UK
All sources checked on 4 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the linked pages for the latest version.
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