Last Updated: August 2026
Since February 25, 2026, anyone visiting the UK from a visa-exempt country must have an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding. This applies to Americans, Canadians, Australians, and citizens of all 27 EU countries — 85 nationalities in total. The transitional flexibility that ran through the rollout is over: no permission, no travel.
⚡ UK ETA: Quick Facts
| What is the UK ETA? | A digital travel authorisation — not a visa. Similar to the US ESTA or Canada’s eTA |
| Cost? | £20 since April 8, 2026 (was £16) |
| Validity? | 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner — unlimited trips |
| Max stay per visit? | 6 months |
| Processing time? | Most approved in minutes — allow 3 working days to be safe |
| Who needs it? | 85 visa-exempt nationalities — US, Canada, Australia, all 27 EU countries, and more |
| Multiple entries? | Yes — unlimited trips during the validity period |
| Children need one? | Yes — every traveller needs an ETA, including babies |
| Guarantees entry? | No — it authorises travel, not entry. Border officers make the final call |
What Is the UK ETA?
The UK ETA is a digital travel authorisation — not a visa. Think of it as the UK’s version of the US ESTA or Canada’s eTA. It’s a pre-screening system that checks travellers against security databases before they’re allowed to board transport to the UK.
The scheme launched in October 2023 and rolled out in phases, bringing EU nationals into scope in April 2025. By September 2025 the Home Office had granted more than 19.6 million ETAs. Throughout that period enforcement was deliberately relaxed while travellers adjusted.
That ended on February 25, 2026. Airlines, ferry operators, and rail companies including Eurostar are now required to verify ETA status before boarding, and carriers face penalties for bringing passengers without the correct permission. No ETA, no boarding.
Who Needs a UK ETA?
Citizens of 85 visa-exempt countries and territories need an ETA to visit the UK. This includes the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, all 27 EU member states, EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Gulf states, and dozens more.
Who Does NOT Need a UK ETA?
British citizens (including dual nationals — you must travel on a UK passport or Certificate of Entitlement), Irish citizens (covered by the Common Travel Area), anyone who already holds a UK visa or immigration status (work visa, student visa, settled status, and so on), and travellers transiting airside through Heathrow or Manchester without passing through UK border control.
How to Apply for a UK ETA
Most people apply directly through the UK Home Office at GOV.UK/eta or via the official UK ETA app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The Home Office says the app is the easiest route and that most applicants get an automatic decision within minutes.
The application takes 5–10 minutes: scan your passport, take a photo of your face, fill in your details, answer the security screening questions, and pay the fee. The government recommends applying at least 3 working days before travel in case your application is flagged for manual review.
Once approved, your ETA is linked digitally to your passport — there is no physical document to carry. You’ll receive a reference number and a confirmation email, and you can check your status at any time on GOV.UK.
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UK ETA vs. ETIAS vs. US ESTA: How Do They Compare?
| UK ETA | EU ETIAS | US ESTA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | ✅ Live and enforced | 🟡 2027 likely | ✅ Live since 2009 |
| Cost | £20 | €20 | $40 |
| Validity | 2 years | 3 years | 2 years |
| Max stay | 6 months | 90 days / 180 | 90 days |
| Countries covered | UK only | 30 countries | US only |
What Happens If You Don’t Have an ETA?
Airlines, rail operators, and ferry companies are required to check ETA status before boarding, and they face penalties for carrying passengers without valid permission. No ETA means no boarding — you will be stopped at check-in, not at the UK border. There is no grace period; the transitional flexibility ended on 25 February 2026.
Applying at the airport is technically possible but genuinely risky. Most decisions come within minutes, but any application flagged for manual review can take up to 3 working days, and you will not make your flight.
If your application is refused you cannot appeal, but you may be able to submit a new application or apply for a visitor visa instead, depending on the reason. See UK ETA refused: what to do next.
Tips for Travellers
Apply as soon as you book. Not the day before.
Use official channels. GOV.UK or the UK ETA app. If you use a third-party service, make sure it states clearly that it is not the UK government and shows its own fee separately.
New passport means a new ETA. The authorisation is linked to the passport, not to you.
Every traveller needs one. Including infants. You can apply on behalf of others.
An ETA does not guarantee entry. It authorises travel. The border officer decides on arrival.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do Americans need a UK ETA?
Yes. Since February 25, 2026, US citizens must have an approved ETA before travelling to the UK. Visa-free entry without pre-authorisation is no longer available. See our complete UK ETA for Americans guide for US-specific requirements including Heathrow transit rules, dual citizenship, and entering Northern Ireland from Ireland.
Do Canadians need a UK ETA?
Yes. Since February 25, 2026, Canadian citizens must have an approved ETA before travelling to the UK. See our complete UK ETA for Canadians guide for Canada-specific requirements including the NEXUS card question, French language application notes, and dual citizenship rules.
Do Australians need a UK ETA?
Yes. Since February 25, 2026, Australian citizens must have an approved ETA before travelling to the UK. See our complete UK ETA for Australians guide for Australia-specific requirements including Working Holiday Scheme rules, dual citizenship, and Heathrow transit.
What are the UK ETA requirements?
Citizens of 85 visa-exempt countries — including the US, Canada, Australia, all 27 EU members, and dozens more — need a UK ETA to enter the UK as visitors. You need a valid passport, the £20 fee, and 5–10 minutes to complete the online application. Approval is typically within minutes; allow 3 working days to be safe.
Is the UK ETA a visa?
No. It is a digital travel authorisation, similar to the US ESTA. It does not grant any right to work, study, or stay beyond the visitor rules. Longer stays still require a proper visa.
How much does a UK ETA cost?
£20, paid directly to the UK government. The fee rose from £16 on April 8, 2026. The Home Office notes that other application services may charge a higher fee than the government — a legitimate service states its own fee separately and tells you the official route exists.
How long is a UK ETA valid?
Two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It allows unlimited trips to the UK during that period, with each stay lasting up to six months.
Can I apply for a UK ETA at the airport?
Technically yes, since it is a digital application, but it is risky. Most decisions come within minutes, though applications flagged for manual review can take up to 3 working days — long enough to miss your flight. Apply before you leave for the airport.
What should I do if the UK ETA app isn’t working?
If the official UK ETA app keeps crashing, won’t scan your passport chip, or rejects your photo — or the website itself is down — start with the quick fixes: update the app, toggle between Wi-Fi and mobile data, photograph your face in good lighting against a plain wall, and type your passport details in manually if the chip scan fails. If you are still stuck with a flight booked soon, see our full UK ETA app troubleshooting guide.
Does the UK ETA affect my Schengen days?
No. The UK is not in the Schengen Area. Time spent in the UK has no effect on your 90/180-day Schengen limit. They are completely separate systems.
Do I need both a UK ETA and ETIAS to visit Europe?
If you are visiting both the UK and Schengen countries, yes — eventually. The UK ETA is required now. ETIAS is not yet operational: the EU removed the Q4 2026 target in July 2026 and 2027 is now the most likely launch year. They are separate authorisations for separate territories.
What about Ireland?
Irish citizens do not need a UK ETA. And if you are visiting Ireland itself, you do not need a UK ETA for that either — Ireland is outside both the UK’s system and the Schengen Area, and runs its own immigration rules.
Has the UK ETA fee changed?
Yes. It rose from £16 to £20 on April 8, 2026. The Home Office keeps the fee under review, so check GOV.UK before applying if you are reading this some time after publication.
What is the difference between the UK ETA and ETIAS?
The UK ETA covers travel to the United Kingdom only, costs £20 and lasts two years. ETIAS will cover 30 European countries — the 29 Schengen members plus Cyprus — cost €20 and last three years. If you are visiting both, you will eventually need both.
🌍 Plan your whole trip in one place
Check entry requirements, stay limits and ETIAS status for every country on your route — including the UK — generated for your passport.
Use the Europe Travel Planner →Related Articles
- UK ETA for Americans: Complete Guide — US-specific rules including Heathrow transit and dual citizenship
- UK ETA for Canadians: Complete Guide — Canada-specific rules including NEXUS and French application notes
- UK ETA for Australians: Complete Guide — Working Holiday Scheme and dual citizenship
- UK ETA Processing Time — how long approval actually takes and what to do if delayed
- UK ETA App Not Working? — troubleshooting the official app and workarounds
- UK ETA Refused: What to Do Next — options after a rejection and alternative visa routes
- UK ETA for Transit & Layovers — airside vs landside rules for connecting flights
- UK ETA Application Mistakes to Avoid — the errors that trigger denials or manual review
- Travel to the United Kingdom — the broader UK travel handbook
- Schengen Area Map — where the UK sits relative to Schengen, the EU and ETIAS
- ETIAS: Complete Guide — Europe’s incoming authorisation, 2027 likely
- ETIAS vs. ESTA — how the EU’s system compares to the US one
- Schengen Area Countries: Full List — which countries are in and which aren’t
- 90/180-Day Rule Explained — the stay limits that apply once you’re in Europe
- Split Time: Schengen & Non-Schengen — extending a European trip beyond 90 days
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Rules can change — always verify with official sources at GOV.UK before travelling. Last updated: August 2026.