Last checked against official sources: October 5, 2026
Since February 25, 2026, the UK has strictly enforced its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. If you’re a visa-free visitor without an ETA, your airline, ferry or train company can refuse to let you board. The fee also went up to £20 on April 8, 2026.
Here’s what you need to know before you book.
What is a UK ETA?
An ETA is a digital permission to travel. It’s not a visa. It’s linked to your passport and allows visits to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man for:
- tourism, visiting family and friends
- business activities allowed for visitors
- short courses of study
- some permitted paid engagements and transit (see below)
Each visit can last up to 6 months. One ETA is valid for multiple trips over 2 years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Who needs an ETA?
You need an ETA if both of these are true:
- Your nationality doesn’t need a visa for short UK visits. Examples include citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, EU countries, Japan, South Korea and the Gulf states.
- You don’t already have UK immigration permission, such as a visa, eVisa or settled status.
Children and babies need their own ETA. Each traveller applies separately.
Who does NOT need an ETA?
- British and Irish citizens, including dual nationals. If you’re a dual British citizen, travel on your British passport or a passport with a certificate of entitlement, not your other passport with an ETA.
- People who already have UK permission to live, work or study, including visa holders
- Legal residents of Ireland travelling from within the Common Travel Area, with proof of residence
- Airside transit passengers at Heathrow and Manchester who don’t go through UK border control. The government has suspended this requirement for now and keeps it under review. If you pass through border control during a transit, you need an ETA.
If you’re from a “visa national” country, an ETA doesn’t help you. This includes Ghana, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, China and many others. You still need a full Standard Visitor visa. See our UK visa from Ghana guide for that process.
How much does it cost?
| Date | Fee |
|---|---|
| Launch (2023) | £10 |
| From April 9, 2025 | £16 |
| From April 8, 2026 | £20 |
Only use the official channels below. Many third-party sites charge two to four times the official fee for the same application.
How to apply (step by step)
- Use an official channel. That’s the “UK ETA” app (Apple App Store or Google Play), or the GOV.UK website.
- Have your passport ready. Use the passport you’ll travel with. The app can read the chip in most passports.
- Take a photo of your face following the instructions in the app. The app checks it’s really you.
- Answer the suitability questions. These cover criminal convictions and past immigration problems. Answer honestly. A false answer can lead to refusal and future bans.
- Pay £20 and submit.
- Wait for the decision. The Home Office says most people get an automatic decision within minutes. It still advises applying at least 3 working days before travel in case your application needs a manual review.
Your ETA is linked to your passport electronically. You don’t need to print anything. If you get a new passport, you need a new ETA.
What if my ETA is refused?
You can’t appeal an ETA refusal. You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead, which involves a fuller assessment. An ETA also doesn’t guarantee entry. A Border Force officer still decides at the border.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying on a look-alike website. Check that you’re on GOV.UK or using the official app.
- Getting an ETA on an old passport and then travelling on a new one
- Forgetting the children in your group
- Assuming a connecting flight doesn’t count. If your connection makes you pass through UK passport control, for example a change of airport, you need an ETA.
- Mixing up the UK ETA with Europe’s systems. The UK ETA is completely separate from the EU’s ETIAS and the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).
Frequently asked questions
Is an ETA the same as a visa?
No. It’s a pre-travel screening for nationalities that don’t need a visa for short visits. You can’t use it to work, study long-term or settle.
Can I stay 6 months on every trip?
Each visit can last up to 6 months. Border officers can question a pattern of long, back-to-back visits that look like you’re living in the UK.
I live in the UK on a visa. Do I need an ETA to come back from a holiday?
No. Your existing UK immigration permission, such as an eVisa, covers you.
How we researched this
We checked the GOV.UK ETA guidance (updated September 2026), the Home Office’s April 2026 ETA factsheet, and the published fee history. The Home Office reported issuing 24.8 million ETAs between October 2023 and the end of 2025. Rules and fees can change, so always confirm on GOV.UK before you travel.
One Visa Center is an information site, not a law firm, and this is not legal advice. Read how we research, fact-check and use AI tools in our Editorial Policy.
Related reading: Key UK visa types and how to get them · UK Skilled Worker visa 2026
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