- The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a pre-travel permission required by eligible nationals who do not need a visa to visit the UK.
- The ETA fee is 16 pounds per application. It is linked to the passport, not a physical document.
- A granted ETA is valid for multiple trips over 2 years (or until the passport expires, whichever is earlier), with a maximum stay of 6 months per visit.
- ETA applications are typically decided within hours, though the Home Office advises applying at least 3 working days before travel.
- Nationals of the United States, Canada, Australia, EU member states and many other countries require an ETA from 2024-2025.
Last reviewed: 13 May 2026
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation was introduced in phases from November 2023. It applies to nationals of countries who do not need a visa to enter the UK but who now require pre-travel authorisation. The ETA is the UK equivalent of the US ESTA or the EU's ETIAS system.
What the ETA Is and Is Not
The ETA is an electronic permission to travel to the UK. It is linked digitally to the applicant's passport, is not a visa (holders are still entering under visa-free arrangements), and is not a guarantee of entry (Border Force retains the right to refuse entry on arrival). The ETA allows entry for the same purposes as before its introduction: tourism, visiting family, business travel, transit, and short stays. It does not permit working in the UK unless specific work-related short-term activities are covered under existing visa-free provisions.
Who Needs a UK ETA
From 2 April 2025, the ETA requirement was extended to nationals of all eligible countries who do not already hold a UK visa or permission to enter. This includes nationals of all EU member states and the Schengen Area, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman).
A full list is maintained on GOV.UK. Nationals who are exempt from the ETA requirement include British citizens, Irish citizens (who retain Common Travel Area rights), and those with existing UK leave (such as a visa or BRP).
The 16 Pound Fee
The ETA application fee is 16 pounds per person. There is no fee waiver. Children, including infants, require their own ETA application and pay the same fee. Payment is made by debit or credit card through the UK ETA app (available on iOS and Android) or the GOV.UK online application.
Validity and Multiple Entry
A granted ETA is valid for 2 years from the date of issue, or until the passport it is linked to expires, whichever comes first. During the validity period, the ETA allows multiple trips to the UK. Each individual trip is limited to a maximum of 6 months. There is no restriction on the number of trips within the validity period. The ETA is non-transferable. If the applicant renews their passport, a new ETA application must be made (linked to the new passport).
How to Apply
The recommended method is the UK ETA app. The process: download the UK ETA app (iOS or Android), enter passport details and photograph the passport chip, take a selfie for identity verification, complete the application questions (criminal record declarations, previous refusals), pay the 16 pound fee, and receive a decision (usually within hours, sometimes up to 3 working days). The Home Office advises applying at least 3 working days before travel. Travel before a decision is issued is inadvisable; airlines may refuse to board passengers without a valid ETA.
What Happens if an ETA is Refused
ETA refusals are issued where the application does not meet the requirements, for example due to a declared criminal conviction, a previous immigration refusal, or an inability to verify identity. If an ETA is refused, the applicant is notified by email or through the app, the refusal letter sets out the reasons, there is no formal appeal process against an ETA refusal (unlike a visa refusal, which may carry appeal rights), and the applicant may submit a new application if the circumstances that led to refusal have changed or if incorrect information was submitted.
In cases where travel is urgent and an ETA has been refused, the alternative is to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa, which does carry a right of appeal.
ETA vs Standard Visitor Visa
An ETA is for eligible non-visa nationals; a Visitor Visa is for visa-required nationals. ETA fee is 16 pounds vs 115 pounds standard for a Visitor Visa. ETA processing is hours to 3 working days; Visitor Visa is 3 weeks standard. Both allow a maximum stay of 6 months per visit. ETA validity allows multiple entry within a 2-year window; Visitor Visa multiple entry depends on the visa issued. ETA refusals carry no appeal; Visitor Visa refusals may carry appeal rights in some cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do EU citizens need a UK ETA from 2025?
Yes. From 2 April 2025, EU citizens who previously entered the UK visa-free without any pre-travel requirement need a UK ETA. The same applies to nationals of other eligible countries including the US, Canada and Australia.
How long is a UK ETA valid?
An ETA is valid for 2 years from the date of issue or until the linked passport expires, whichever is earlier. It allows multiple trips, each of up to 6 months.
Can an ETA be transferred to a new passport?
No. The ETA is linked to the specific passport used at application. If the passport is renewed, a new ETA application must be made for the new passport.
What if an ETA application is refused?
There is no appeal process for ETA refusals. Applicants can submit a new application if circumstances have changed. Alternatively, a Standard Visitor Visa application (which carries appeal rights in some cases) can be made.
Is the ETA the same as a visa?
No. The ETA is an electronic travel authorisation, not a visa. It allows nationals of eligible countries to travel to the UK under visa-free arrangements. It does not change the immigration conditions of entry; visitors still enter for a maximum of 6 months and cannot work under the ETA alone.
How We Verified This Article
Content was verified against the Home Office UK ETA guidance on GOV.UK, the Home Office ETA rollout timeline publications, and the UK Visas and Immigration fee schedule current as of May 2026.
