A UK ETA, or electronic travel authorisation, is the digital permission most visitors from the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe and certain other countries need before they travel to the UK for up to 6 months. As of October 2026, GOV.UK lists it at 20 pounds with no refund, you'll usually get a decision within a day (it can take up to 3 working days), and it lasts 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner.
If you're flying to London for a conference, a client meeting or a family visit, this is the bit of admin that's easy to forget until check-in. I read the GOV.UK pages on the ETA from start to finish. Here's what it covers, who's exempt and the rules that catch people out.
The UK ETA at a glance
| What GOV.UK says | |
|---|---|
| What it lets you do | Travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to 6 months |
| Reasons it covers | Tourism, visiting family and certain other reasons |
| Fee | 20 pounds online or in the UK ETA app, not refundable |
| Decision time | Usually within a day, up to 3 working days |
| How long it lasts | 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner |
| Trips allowed | As many as you want while it's valid |
| Who usually needs one | Visitors from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada and certain other countries |
| Who doesn't | British or Irish passport holders, and people with permission to live, work or study in the UK |
| Children | Every traveller needs one, including babies |
How to apply, step by step
- Have the passport you'll travel with, an email address and a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay ready.
- Apply in the UK ETA app (it scans your passport and face with your phone's camera) or online with a photo of your passport and a photo of your face.
- Follow GOV.UK's rules for digital photos of faces, because a photo that doesn't meet them can delay or sink the application.
- Wait for the decision email, which carries your 16 digit ETA reference number.
- Don't travel until you have that email. When you fly, you only show your passport, because the ETA is linked to it.
The rules people trip over
The first is the fee. GOV.UK warns that other websites may charge more to apply and some imitate government services, and applying through another website or app won't get you a faster decision. Apply through GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app only.
The second is refunds. You can't get one after you apply. If your application is rejected, or you need to change a detail, you apply again and pay again. The third is the passport link: your ETA is tied to the passport you applied with, so apply with the passport you'll travel on. And an ETA doesn't guarantee entry to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
One more for people with connecting flights: if you pass through border control at a UK airport before your onward journey, you need an ETA. GOV.UK says to check with your airline if you're not sure.
UK ETA for US citizens
If you hold a US passport and you're visiting for tourism, to see family or for one of the other reasons GOV.UK lists, for up to 6 months, GOV.UK says you'll usually need an ETA rather than a visa. Apply for everyone in your party, children included. You can apply for someone else in the app if they're with you, or online if they're not, and decisions for each person may arrive at different times.
Checking or getting help with your ETA
Once you have an ETA, GOV.UK lets you check online whether you have one and when it expires, which is worth doing before every trip in its 2 year life. If something goes wrong, use the ETA webchat. GOV.UK says UK Visas and Immigration can't help with ETA enquiries over the phone, and if you haven't heard after 3 working days, check your spam folder before you contact them.
While you're planning the trip, this business trip packing list saves the last-minute panic, and the best eSIMs for international travel keep you connected the moment you land.
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My advice on the UK ETA
Apply as soon as your trip is booked, not the night before. It's quick, but the 3 working day window, the photo rules and the no-refund policy all punish a rushed application. Use GOV.UK or the official app, apply with the passport you'll fly on, and screenshot the decision email with your 16 digit reference before you go.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a UK ETA?
GOV.UK lists the ETA at 20 pounds, as of October 2026, whether you apply online or in the UK ETA app. You can't get a refund after you apply.
How long does a UK ETA take?
You'll usually get a decision by email within a day, but GOV.UK says it can take up to 3 working days. Don't travel until you've had the confirmation email.
Do children need a UK ETA?
Yes. GOV.UK says each person travelling needs an ETA, including babies and children, and you can apply on their behalf.
Do I need an ETA if I'm only changing planes in the UK?
If you pass through UK border control before your onward journey, yes. If you're not sure whether your connection takes you through border control, check with your airline.
