The UK ETA: who needs it, what it costs and how to apply

For years, citizens of many countries could simply fly to the United Kingdom and show their passport on arrival. That has changed. Visitors who don't need a visa now need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), a digital permission linked to their passport, and airlines check it before boarding.

This guide explains who needs one, what it costs and how to apply without paying more than you should.

What an ETA is

According to GOV.UK, an ETA lets you travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to 6 months as a visitor. It is not a visa: it is a pre-travel check for people who don't need one. It is linked electronically to the passport you apply with, so there is nothing to print.

An ETA does not guarantee entry. Border officers still decide when you arrive.

Who needs one

What you need depends on your nationality and why you are coming. GOV.UK says you usually need an ETA rather than a visa if you are from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries. The Home Office's guidance also covers nationals of the six Gulf states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Every traveller needs their own ETA, including babies and children.

Who doesn't

• People with a British or Irish passport.
• People who already have permission to live, work or study in the UK.
• Nationals who need a visa: they apply for a visa instead, not an ETA.

If you need a visa

Some nationalities, including Indian citizens, need a Standard Visitor visa. GOV.UK lists the fee as £135 for up to 6 months, and says the earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

Since 25 February 2026: no ETA, no boarding

The ETA scheme was introduced in stages. From 25 February 2026, the Home Office began enforcing it fully: visitors who need an ETA and don't have one cannot legally travel to the UK, and carriers check before departure.

In practice, apply before you book non-refundable travel, or at least a few days before you fly.

Cost, decision time and validity

According to GOV.UK:

• Fee: £20, rising from £16 on 8 April 2026. You cannot get a refund after you apply.
• Decision: usually within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days. You must wait for the email confirming your ETA before you travel.
• Validity: 2 years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
• Trips: as many as you want during that time, each for up to 6 months.

How to apply

You can apply in two ways:

1. The official UK ETA app: you scan your passport and your face with your phone's camera.
2. Online on GOV.UK: you upload a photo of your passport and a photo of your face that follow the digital photo rules.

You will need:

• the passport you will travel with;
• an email address;
• a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

After you apply, you receive a 16-digit reference number by email. Keep it until the decision arrives.

Avoid unofficial websites

Many websites look official and charge several times the government fee to submit the same form. Apply only through GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app. If a site charges more than £20, it is not the government.

Transit through the UK

If you change planes in the UK, the rule depends on whether you pass through border control. GOV.UK says you need an ETA if you pass through border control at a UK airport before continuing your journey. If you stay airside, check the current transit rules for your airport and nationality before you travel.

At the UK border

An ETA gets you onto the plane; the border officer decides whether you come in. Be ready to explain the purpose of your visit, where you will stay and when you will leave. Carry your return or onward ticket, your accommodation details and a way to show you can pay for your stay, such as a bank card or recent statement. Visitors cannot work in the UK, so a trip that looks like a job is a common reason for refusal.

Before you fly: a quick checklist

• Apply at least a few days before departure.
• Check that the passport number on the ETA matches the passport you will carry.
• Apply separately for each traveller, including children.
• Keep your confirmation email and reference number on your phone.