- Fee
- £20 as of October 2026
- Time
- Apply at least 3 working days before travel
- Where
- UK ETA app or UK Government website
The UK requires most visitors from visa-free countries to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation before travelling. The permission allows a visit of up to six months, but it does not guarantee admission at the border.
Your passport or UK status determines whether you need an ETA
| Passport or residence status | Visa or ETA needed? | Maximum stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| National of a country whose citizens can visit without a visa | ETA required for most visitors | Up to six months | The scheme covers nationals of 85 countries. The permitted visit activities must comply with the UK Visitor Rules. |
| British or Irish citizen | No ETA | Not set by the ETA scheme | Dual citizens cannot obtain an ETA and must show citizenship evidence. |
| Person holding a UK visa or permission to live, work or study | No ETA | Governed by the visa or permission | This includes settled or pre-settled status and right of abode. |
| Person with permission to live, work or study in Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man | No ETA | Governed by that permission | These jurisdictions have their own permission arrangements. |
| Traveller passing through a UK airport without crossing border control | No ETA | Transit only | The exemption applies to airside transit. |
| British overseas territories citizen or British National (Overseas) passport holder | No ETA | Not set by the ETA scheme | The passport category is exempt. |
| Person living in Ireland and travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man | No ETA | Not set by the ETA scheme | Both the residence and departure conditions apply. |
| Child on a France-UK school trip using the designated travel information form | No ETA | Not set by the ETA scheme | The exemption applies to travel using that form. |
| Person exempt from immigration control or awaiting an EU Settlement Scheme decision | No ETA | Depends on the applicable status | The exemption applies to people awaiting a decision on their application. |
An ETA is permission to travel in advance, not a visa. Once approved, it permits multiple journeys for two years or until the passport used to apply expires, whichever comes first.
Carry evidence that matches the exemption you rely on
The Home Office lists the categories exempt from ETA in its official guidance. The exemption depends on the traveller’s status or route.
| Traveller or situation | Document or condition identified in the rules | What it establishes |
|---|---|---|
| British or Irish dual citizen | Valid British passport; another valid passport with a certificate of entitlement proving right of abode; or a valid Irish passport | Proof of British or Irish citizenship or right of abode; dual citizens cannot apply for an ETA. |
| ETA holder | The passport used for the ETA application | A new passport means the traveller must apply for a new ETA, even if the earlier authorisation has not expired. |
| Airside transit passenger | Remain in the airport without passing through border control | This is the condition for the transit exemption. |
| Child on a qualifying France-UK school trip | France-UK school trip travel information form | The exemption applies to children travelling on that form. |
The ETA itself does not settle whether a traveller will be admitted. It authorizes travel to the UK; the visitor still needs to meet the rules for the intended activity and entry.
The proposed tour exemption has not changed the rules in force
A parliamentary committee urged the government to exempt customers of certain tour operators. The committee’s proposed ETA exemptions, announced on October 22, 2026, aim to address concerns about organized visits to Northern Ireland and tourism.
Ministers acknowledged the concerns raised in the House of Commons but did not promise an immediate change.
UK lawmakers also pressed ministers to consider exemptions for frequent visitors, people with family connections in the UK and travellers from countries with historically low rates of overstaying or visa violations. Their argument was that repeated ETA applications could add friction for legitimate visitors, discourage short trips and push some travellers toward other destinations.
The issue extends beyond organized tours. MPs said visitors who return often or have close ties to the country could face extra administrative steps each time they travel. They argued that a broadly applied requirement could deter people who contribute to tourism and cultural life.
The government’s position is that the ETA serves as a security measure. Officials have compared it with travel-authorisation systems in the United States, Canada and Australia. The parliamentary discussion is expected to continue as more information emerges about the scheme’s effect on tourist arrivals.
The authorization expanded in stages before full enforcement
The government first set out the ETA scheme in the March 2023 statement of changes to the immigration rules, HC 1160. Applications opened in October 2023 for Qatari nationals.
In February 2024, the requirement expanded to nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. From 2 April 2025, it extended to Europe, including visitors from the EU, the United States, Australia and Canada who had previously been able to travel without a visa.
Full enforcement began on 25 February 2026. The Home Office introduced a “No ETA, no travel” policy, under which most non-visa nationals need a valid ETA before travelling or risk being refused boarding. The requirement covers nationals of 85 countries who could previously visit the UK for short stays without a visa.
The application charge increased from £16 to £20 on 8 April 2026, as of October 2026. The ETA is still distinct from a visa: it permits a person to travel for a short visit but does not promise entry or authorize activities outside the visitor rules.
Apply online and allow time for a decision
Visitors who need an ETA can apply through the UK ETA app or the UK Government’s ETA service. The Home Office also sets out who does not need an ETA.
- Check whether your passport or residence status is covered by an existing exemption.
- If you need an ETA, apply using the UK ETA app or government service and the passport you plan to travel with.
- Apply at least 3 working days before travel, as of October 2026, even though many decisions arrive sooner.
Some applications are processed within minutes. UK Visas and Immigration usually sends a decision by email within a day, but allows up to 3 working days. Anyone who receives a new passport must make a fresh ETA application, even if the previous authorisation would otherwise remain valid.
