TL;DR
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation fee rose from £16 to £20 on 8 April 2026. The ETA is required by visitors from over 80 nationalities for stays up to six months. Applications are typically processed within minutes through the UK ETA app.
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation fee rose from £16 to £20 on 8 April 2026, following an earlier rise from the original £10 launch price. The ETA is required by visitors from over 80 nationalities for stays up to six months, and applications are typically processed within minutes through the UK ETA app.
How the ETA works
An ETA is an electronic permission linked to the holder's passport that allows travel to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time. The permission lasts two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. Border Force officers still check each visitor on arrival and can refuse entry where the rules are not met. The ETA replaces the previous Visit Visa requirement for many low-risk nationalities.
Who needs an ETA
Visitors from over 80 nationalities now require an ETA before travelling to the UK, including all EU and EEA nationals, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore and the GCC countries.
British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA. Holders of valid UK visas or settled status are also exempt. The full eligibility list is published on gov.uk's ETA page.
How to apply
Applications go through the UK ETA mobile app on iOS or Android, or through gov.uk for those without a smartphone. The application requires a digital photograph of the passport, a self-photograph and a series of questions about identity and travel.
Most applications are decided automatically within minutes. Complex applications can take up to three working days. The Home Office advises applying at least 48 hours before travel to avoid delays.
Fee history and comparison
The ETA launched at £10 in late 2023. The fee rose to £16 in early 2025 and to £20 on 8 April 2026, doubling the launch price in just over two years. Future rises are likely to be confirmed through the Home Office's fee review process.
The US ESTA fee is currently $21, the EU ETIAS scheme is expected to charge €7, and the Canadian eTA charges CAD$7. The UK ETA at £20 sits at the higher end of the equivalent international schemes.
How long the ETA lasts and when it expires
An ETA is valid for two years from the date of issue or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner. Multiple visits are allowed within the validity period, each up to six months long.
Passport renewal during the ETA validity period invalidates the ETA. A new ETA must be applied for to link the permission to the new passport, with the standard £20 fee.
Key facts
- ETA fee is £20 since 8 April 2026.
- Valid two years or until passport expires.
- Over 80 nationalities require an ETA.
- British and Irish citizens are exempt.
- Most applications decided within minutes.
FAQ
How much does the UK ETA cost now?
£20, following the rise from £16 on 8 April 2026. The ETA launched at £10 in late 2023, so the fee has doubled in just over two years.
Who needs an ETA?
Visitors from over 80 nationalities, including all EU and EEA nationals, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore and the GCC countries. British and Irish citizens are exempt.
How quickly is the application processed?
Most applications are decided automatically within minutes. Complex cases can take up to three working days. The Home Office advises applying at least 48 hours before travel.
What happens if I renew my passport?
Passport renewal invalidates the ETA. A new ETA must be applied for to link the permission to the new passport, with the standard £20 fee.
