UK ETA Explained: Who Needs One, the £20 Fee, How to Apply and Common Mistakes
The United Kingdom now requires most visitors who do not need a visa to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel. That includes travellers from the United States, Canada, Australia, the European Union and many other countries. If you turn up at the airport without one, your airline may refuse to let you board.
Quick answer: An ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK, linked to your passport. It currently costs £20 on the official UK government service, is applied for through the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK, and is needed by visitors who do not need a visa, including children and babies. British and Irish citizens, and people with UK permission to live, work or study, do not need one.
1. What is a UK ETA?
An ETA is not a visa. It is a pre-travel check, similar to the US ESTA, that allows you to travel to the UK for short visits such as tourism, visiting family, business meetings or short study. It is linked electronically to the passport you used to apply, so there is nothing to print.
An ETA allows you to travel to the UK; it does not guarantee entry. Border officers still decide whether to admit you.
2. Who needs an ETA?
| Traveller | Needs an ETA? |
|---|---|
| Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other visa-free countries | Yes |
| EU and other European citizens (except Irish) | Yes |
| Children and babies of visa-free nationalities | Yes, each person needs their own |
| British and Irish citizens | No |
| People with a UK visa or permission to live, work or study | No |
| Nationals who need a UK visitor visa (for example, Indian citizens) | No ETA, but they need a visa instead |
If you are only changing planes in the UK, the rules depend on whether you pass through UK border control. Check the latest GOV.UK guidance and ask your airline before travelling.
3. How much does it cost and how long does it last?
- Fee: £20 per person on the official UK government service (GOV.UK). The fee has risen since the scheme launched, so check the current amount when you apply.
- Stays: visits of up to six months at a time.
- Validity: an ETA generally allows multiple trips for two years, or until your passport expires if sooner. If you get a new passport, you need a new ETA.
4. How to apply, step by step
- Use only official channels: the official “UK ETA” app or the GOV.UK website.
- Have ready: your passport, an email address, and a payment card.
- Scan your passport and take a photo of your face in the app (or upload them online).
- Answer questions about your identity, criminal history and immigration history honestly.
- Pay the fee.
- Wait for the decision by email. Many decisions arrive quickly, but the government advises allowing up to three working days, so do not leave it to the last minute.
You can apply on behalf of family members, including children.
5. Beware of fake ETA websites
Unofficial websites often appear at the top of search results and charge two or three times the real fee for “help” with the application. Some collect passport details without submitting anything. The official service is on gov.uk and the official app is published by the UK Home Office. If a site is not on gov.uk, close it.
6. Common mistakes
- Using a different passport from the one you applied with. The ETA is linked to one passport.
- Typing errors in passport numbers or names.
- Applying too late. Apply as soon as your trip is booked.
- Forgetting children, who each need their own ETA.
- Assuming an ETA lets you work. It does not; it covers visits only.
7. Travelling on to Europe?
Europe is introducing its own systems: a biometric Entry/Exit System that now registers non-EU travellers at the border, and a future travel authorisation called ETIAS. Read our guide to EES and ETIAS. Our international travel checklist covers everything else to check before you fly.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a UK ETA cost?
£20 per person on the official UK government service, at the time of writing. Check GOV.UK for the current fee.
Do US citizens need a UK ETA?
Yes, US citizens visiting the UK without a visa need an ETA.
Do Indian citizens need a UK ETA?
No. Indian citizens generally need a UK visitor visa instead, which replaces the need for an ETA.
How long does it take to get an ETA?
Many applications are decided quickly, but allow up to three working days.
Can I use my ETA for several trips?
Yes. It generally covers multiple visits during its validity, as long as each stay is up to six months.