Checked September 25, 2026. A UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is permission to travel, not a visa and not a guarantee of entry. Eligible passport holders can apply online or through the official UK ETA app. Before paying, check whether your nationality and purpose of travel qualify; a person who needs a UK visa cannot replace it with an ETA.
Start with your passport, not your location
Your country of residence does not by itself determine ETA eligibility. The UK assesses the nationality shown on the passport you will use to travel and why you are going. Many visitors from Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia use this route, but the list is not universal. A dual national should check the rules for the particular passport they intend to present. British and Irish passport holders, and people who already have permission to live, work or study in the UK, may not need an ETA. Use the UK government’s ETA eligibility guide before making plans.
An ETA can cover tourism, visiting relatives and certain other permitted short visits, generally for up to six months. It is not work sponsorship, a residence permit or an alternative to a visa for someone whose nationality requires one. Each traveller needs their own ETA, including children. If your trip is a connection through a UK airport, check whether you will pass through border control: a landside transit can require an ETA, while an airside transfer may be treated differently. Ask the airline if the routing is unclear.
What you need to apply
Have the passport you will actually travel with, an email address, a payment method and a suitable face photo ready. The official application may use a phone camera to scan the passport and face; an online route is available if the app is unsuitable. Copy your passport details exactly. A swapped digit or an old passport can leave the authorisation linked to a document you will not carry.
The official UK ETA application page listed a £20 charge when this guide was checked. Third-party websites can charge more without securing a faster decision. The fee is non-refundable. Apply through the government route, not a search ad that merely resembles it.
A practical application sequence
- Confirm that your passport nationality and visit purpose fit the ETA route.
- Check the passport expiry date and use that same passport in the application.
- Prepare a clear face photo, submit accurate details and pay the official fee.
- Wait for the approval email before travelling; keep the passport used in the application.
- Before departure, check your ETA status and make sure your airline booking matches your travel document.
The government says applicants usually receive a decision by email within a day, although it can take up to three working days. This is guidance, not a promise for an individual application. Avoid applying at the airport or buying a non-changeable ticket on the assumption of immediate approval. Family members can receive decisions at different times.
After approval: validity and common mistakes
An ETA normally lasts two years or until the passport used for the application expires, whichever comes first, and permits multiple trips while valid. Renewing the passport means the old ETA will no longer be linked to the new document; check whether you need a new application. Approval lets you travel to the border, where entry is still assessed. Carry information that explains the genuine purpose and duration of your visit if asked.
If the application was rejected or details need changing, the official guidance says you will need to apply again; do not assume an email correction fixes a passport-number error. If a decision has not arrived after three working days, check spam before contacting UK Visas and Immigration. The useful rule is simple: decide the correct route first, submit only accurate passport data, and travel only after confirmation.
GlobalVisora is an independent information platform, not a UK government service. Rules and fees can change; recheck the two official pages before applying.