UK ETA Frequently Asked Questions

A UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital travel permission required for visitors from visa-exempt countries who wish to enter the United Kingdom. It is not a visa but an authorization that allows you to travel to the UK. The ETA is electronically linked to your passport and verified automatically by airlines and border officials. Introduced under the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, the system enhances border security by pre-screening travelers before they depart for the UK.

The UK ETA costs £16 per application. This fee increased from £10 on April 9, 2025. The payment is non-refundable regardless of whether your application is approved, refused, or you cancel your travel plans. Each traveler, including babies and children, requires their own ETA and must pay the fee individually. Beware of third-party websites charging higher fees for the same service – always apply through official channels.

A UK ETA is valid for two years from the date of approval or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During this period, you can make unlimited visits to the UK, with each stay lasting up to six months for standard visitors. The ETA allows multiple entries, so you don't need to reapply for each trip within the validity period. If you get a new passport, you must apply for a new ETA even if your previous authorization hasn't expired.

Most applicants receive an automatic decision within minutes, especially when applying through the UK ETA app. However, some applications require manual review by Home Office officials, which can take up to three working days. In rare cases involving complex security checks, processing may take longer. The UK government recommends applying at least three working days before travel, though applying a week or more in advance is prudent for peace of mind.

No, you do not need to print anything. Your UK ETA is digitally linked to your passport. Airlines, ferry operators, and train services verify your authorization electronically through the Advance Passenger Information (API) system before allowing you to board. Simply travel with the same passport you used when applying. While you never officially need to show proof of your ETA, keeping the confirmation email accessible on your phone can help resolve any rare confusion at check-in.

Citizens of 85+ countries that previously had visa-free access to the UK now need an ETA. This includes nationals of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, all EU member states, EEA countries, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, and many others. If you could visit the UK without a visa before 2025 and you are not British or Irish, you almost certainly need an ETA now. Check our eligibility page for the complete list of affected nationalities.

Yes, since April 2, 2025, all EU citizens (except Irish nationals) require a UK ETA to visit the United Kingdom. This includes citizens of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, and all other EU member states. This represents a significant change from pre-Brexit arrangements when EU citizens could visit freely. EEA nationals (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and Swiss citizens also need ETAs.

No, British citizens and Irish citizens never need an ETA under any circumstances. British citizens include those from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Crown Dependencies. Irish citizens are exempt under the Common Travel Area agreement. If you are a dual national with British or Irish citizenship, travel on that passport to avoid the ETA requirement.

No, if you hold any valid UK visa (visitor, work, student, family, etc.) or have UK immigration status such as Indefinite Leave to Remain, settled status, or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you do not need an ETA. Your existing permission to enter the UK supersedes the ETA requirement.

Yes, every traveler regardless of age needs their own ETA linked to their own passport. This includes babies and young children. Parents or guardians can apply on behalf of minors. Each child requires a separate application and payment of the £16 fee. There are no family discounts or group rates.

It depends on your routing. If you are transiting airside (remaining within the airport's international zone without passing through UK passport control) at Heathrow or Manchester airports, you are currently exempt from the ETA requirement. However, if you must pass through UK immigration – for example, to change terminals, collect luggage, stay overnight, or transit through other UK airports – you need an ETA. This exemption is temporary and may change.

Apply through official channels only: the UK ETA mobile app (available for iOS and Android) or the GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/eta. The app is recommended as it typically processes faster due to biometric verification. Avoid third-party websites that may charge excessive fees or be scams. The official application costs £16 regardless of method.

Yes, you can apply on behalf of other people using the GOV.UK website. This is common for parents applying for children or travel coordinators handling group applications. However, the UK ETA app requires the applicant to be physically present for biometric capture, so third-party applications must use the online portal. The person remains responsible for ensuring information accuracy.

No, you do not need to provide specific travel dates, flight numbers, or itinerary details when applying for a UK ETA. The authorization covers any travel within its two-year validity period. This makes the ETA flexible for frequent travelers or those whose plans may change.

If the UK ETA app cannot read your passport chip, try removing your phone case, holding the phone flat against different areas of the closed passport, and moving slowly. The chip location varies by country and passport type. Ensure NFC is enabled on your device. If problems persist despite multiple attempts, apply through the GOV.UK website instead, where chip scanning is not required.

No, you cannot save your application progress. Both the UK ETA app and online portal require completion in a single session. If you close the app, navigate away from the website, or are inactive for 20 minutes, your progress is lost and you must start over. Gather all required documents before beginning your application.

You must declare any criminal convictions from any country worldwide, regardless of how minor or how long ago they occurred. This includes traffic offenses resulting in conviction, fines, community service, or any court judgment. You do not need to declare convictions for activities that are legal in the UK, such as trade union membership. Failing to declare relevant convictions is a criminal offense and will result in refusal.

Check your email for a decision notification from UK Visas and Immigration (including spam folder). If you used the UK ETA app, open it to view your status. You can also verify your ETA through the official GOV.UK status check service using your passport details. For unresolved issues after 3 working days, contact the UKVI webchat during UK business hours. See our status check guide for detailed instructions.

A pending status means your application has been flagged for manual review by Home Office officials. This is normal for a small percentage of applications and does not necessarily indicate a problem. Reasons include identity verification issues, information requiring assessment, or routine security database checks. Most pending applications are resolved within three working days. Do not reapply while pending, as duplicate applications cause delays.

If your ETA is refused, you will receive an email explaining the grounds for refusal. There is no right to appeal or request administrative review of an ETA decision. Common refusal reasons include criminal history, previous immigration violations, or providing false information. If you still wish to visit the UK, you must apply for a standard visitor visa through the regular visa application process, which allows for more detailed consideration of your circumstances.

First, thoroughly check your email spam and junk folders for messages from gov.uk domains. Try the official GOV.UK status checker with your passport details. If no record is found, contact the UKVI ETA webchat to confirm your application was received. In rare cases, technical issues may have prevented successful submission, requiring you to reapply. Do not submit duplicate applications without first confirming your original was not received.

When your ETA expires (after two years or when your passport expires), you simply apply for a new one if you wish to visit the UK again. There is no renewal process – each ETA is a fresh application. You can apply for a new ETA at any time, including before your current one expires. There is no penalty for letting an ETA expire unused.

Yes, if you renew your passport, receive a replacement, or obtain a new passport for any reason, you must apply for a new ETA. The authorization is tied to your specific passport number and cannot be transferred. Your old ETA remains linked to your old passport and is useless for travel. Apply for a new ETA using your new passport before traveling.

An ETA cannot be extended – it simply remains valid until its expiration date. Your permitted stay (typically up to six months per visit) also cannot be extended while in the UK on an ETA. If you wish to stay longer, you must leave and return (within your ETA validity) or apply for an appropriate visa from outside the UK before a future visit.

No, an ETA authorizes you to travel to the UK but does not guarantee entry. Upon arrival, UK Border Force officials make the final determination on your admission. They may ask about your travel purpose, accommodation, return plans, and financial means. Having an ETA simply confirms you have been pre-screened and are permitted to travel. Entry refusals with valid ETAs are rare but can occur if border officials have concerns.

When you check in, the airline transmits your passport information to UK Border Force through the Advance Passenger Information system. Your ETA status is verified electronically within seconds. If valid, check-in proceeds normally. You don't need to show any documents beyond your passport. At the gate, staff verify your identity against your boarding pass. Upon arrival in the UK, you proceed through passport control where officers may ask routine questions about your visit.

No, an ETA does not permit employment in the UK. You can conduct legitimate business activities such as attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, or site visits, but you cannot work for a UK employer, receive payment from UK sources, or take employment. Some limited activities are permitted under the Creative Worker concession. If you need to work in the UK, you must apply for an appropriate work visa.

An ETA permits short courses of study up to six months, such as recreational courses, English language programs, or academic courses at accredited institutions. You cannot study at a state-funded school or college. For longer studies or formal degree programs, you need a Student visa. The six-month limit applies to your total stay, not specifically to study duration.

First, ensure you're traveling with the exact passport used in your ETA application – even minor discrepancies prevent verification. Show airline staff your confirmation email or app screen while they investigate. Ask them to re-run the API check, as system delays occasionally cause temporary verification failures. If problems persist, contact the UKVI webchat for assistance. In extremely rare cases of persistent system errors, the airline may contact Border Force directly for manual verification.

No, the £16 ETA fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. This includes if your application is refused, if you cancel your travel plans, if you made a mistake and need to reapply, or if you decide not to travel. The only exception would be duplicate charges due to technical errors, which are handled case-by-case. Double-check all information before submitting to avoid paying twice.

The official UK ETA costs exactly £16 with no additional fees when applying through the UK ETA app or GOV.UK website. Third-party websites may charge service fees on top of the government fee – these are not required and you receive the same ETA. Always verify you are using official government channels to avoid unnecessary charges.