What Is the UK ETA
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital pre-travel approval introduced by the UK Home Office in 2024-2025 and fully rolled out by 2026. It is NOT a visa — it is a permission to travel that visa-waiver nationals must obtain before boarding a flight, ferry or train to the UK.
The ETA is linked digitally to your passport. There is no sticker, no stamp — the airline scans your passport, sees the ETA is valid, and lets you board. On arrival, UK Border Force sees the same digital record.
Who Needs One
You need a UK ETA if you are:
- A citizen of a visa-waiver country (USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, most Gulf states, Latin American countries and more)
- Traveling to the UK for tourism, visiting friends/family, short business meetings or transit
- Staying 6 months or less on this trip
You do NOT need an ETA if you are:
- A British or Irish citizen
- A citizen with settled/pre-settled status, indefinite leave to remain or any valid UK visa
- Already holding a Standard Visitor Visa, Work visa, Student visa or other UK immigration permission
- A diplomatic passport holder on official duty
How to Apply
Apply through the official UK ETA app (iOS/Android) or on gov.uk. Never use third-party sites — they charge up to 5x the real fee for doing nothing extra.
Step-by-step
- Download the "UK ETA" app (official — check the developer is "UK Home Office") or go to gov.uk/eta
- Scan your passport photo page using the app, or type your passport details manually
- Take a live selfie using the app (or upload a compliant photo on gov.uk)
- Answer security questions: criminal convictions, previous immigration breaches
- Pay £16 by credit/debit card
- Wait for email confirmation — typically within minutes, up to 3 working days
- Your ETA is now digitally linked to your passport — no printing required
Fees & Processing
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Fee | £16 per person (2026) |
| Payment | Credit or debit card |
| Processing time | Usually minutes; allow 3 working days |
| Validity | 2 years or passport expiry (whichever sooner) |
| Max stay per visit | 6 months |
| Multiple entries | Yes, unlimited within validity |
| Where to apply | Official UK ETA app or gov.uk/eta |
There is no "express" or "priority" ETA service. If you need to travel urgently, simply apply now — processing is near-instant for straightforward applications.
If You Are Denied
ETA refusals are rare and usually relate to:
- Previous UK immigration breaches (overstaying, deception)
- Serious criminal convictions
- Being refused a UK visa in the past
- Being barred from the UK
If your ETA is refused, you cannot appeal the ETA decision — but you can apply for a Standard Visitor Visa (£115) which goes through a more thorough review process. Many people refused an ETA are granted a visitor visa after full disclosure.