What is the UK ETA - who needs it, cost and how long it lasts?
The UK ETA is a £20 digital permission most visa-free visitors need before travelling to the UK. It lasts 2 years. Here is what trip1 travellers need to know.
Updated
What is the UK ETA?
The UK ETA is an online pre-travel check linked to your passport. It is not a visa, and it does not guarantee entry - a Border Force officer still decides when you arrive. If you are planning a UK trip and booking your hotel on trip1, sort your ETA out early so your dates and your permission line up.
The UK has enforced the scheme since 25 February 2026. Airlines, ferries and trains now check that you have an ETA (or a visa or eVisa) before you board, so without one you can be refused travel.
Who needs a UK ETA?
You need an ETA if you are visiting the UK for up to six months, for tourism, family visits or business, and your nationality does not need a visa. This covers around 85 nationalities, including the US, Canada, Australia and EU countries such as France.
You do not need one if you:
- Hold a British or Irish passport, including dual citizens (dual British citizens should travel on their British passport or hold a certificate of entitlement)
- Already have a UK visa or permission to live, work or study in the UK
- Legally live in Ireland and travel from within the Common Travel Area
Every traveller needs their own ETA, including babies and children. You also need one if you pass through UK border control on a connection. Some airside transit passengers at Heathrow and Manchester are currently exempt, so check GOV.UK for your route.
How much does it cost and how long does it last?
| Detail | UK ETA (as of 2026) |
|---|---|
| Fee | £20 per person, non-refundable |
| Validity | 2 years, or until your passport expires |
| Stay per visit | Up to 6 months |
| Number of visits | Unlimited during validity |
| Decision time | Usually minutes, allow up to 3 working days |
Your ETA is tied to the passport you applied with. If you get a new passport, you need a new ETA.
How to apply
Apply through the official UK ETA app (on the App Store or Google Play) or on GOV.UK. You need your passport, an email address and a photo of your face. Most people get a decision within minutes, but the government asks you to apply at least three working days before you travel.
Important: Only apply through GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app. Other websites may charge more than £20, and the UK government says you cannot get a faster decision by applying through another site or app.
Rules can change, so check GOV.UK's ETA guidance before you travel.
UK ETA - FAQ
Yes, if you are visiting for up to six months and your nationality does not need a UK visa. That includes US, Canadian, Australian and EU citizens, except Irish citizens. You do not need one if you hold a British or Irish passport, a UK visa, or permission to live, work or study in the UK. Babies and children need their own ETA.
Yes. The UK has enforced the ETA since 25 February 2026, so airlines, ferry companies and train operators check that you hold an ETA, a visa or an eVisa before you board, and without one you can be refused travel. Having an ETA still does not guarantee entry: a Border Force officer makes the decision when you arrive.
Yes. Australian citizens visiting the UK for up to six months, for tourism, family visits or business, need an approved ETA before they travel, and so do New Zealand citizens. It costs £20 and lasts two years or until the passport expires. If you are also a British citizen, travel on your British passport and you will not need an ETA.
Most applicants get an automatic decision within minutes in the UK ETA app, but GOV.UK says it can take up to 3 working days. The Home Office recommends applying at least three working days before you travel. You must wait for the email confirming your ETA before you set off, so this is not something to sort out at the airport.
£20 per person, paid when you apply on GOV.UK or in the official UK ETA app. The fee is not refunded if your application is refused. Other websites may charge more and cannot get you a faster decision, so apply only through the official GOV.UK service or app.
Two years, or until the passport you applied with expires, whichever comes first. During that time you can visit the UK as often as you like, staying up to six months each time. The ETA is tied to that passport, so if you get a new one you need to apply for a new ETA before your next trip.