Electronic Travel Authorisation
Planning a trip to the UK? If you don’t need a visa for short visits, you’ll most likely need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before you travel. This guide explains everything you need to know, from who qualifies and what it costs, to how to apply and what happens if your application is refused.
For personalised guidance on your UK travel authorisation or any aspect of UK immigration, the team at Newcastle Immigration Lawyers is here to help. Call us at 0191 303 8965, or contact us online.
An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is a digital permission to travel to the UK. It is not a visa, and it does not guarantee entry, UK border officials still have the authority to refuse entry on arrival. Think of it as pre-clearance: a check carried out before you board your transport to the UK.
The ETA is linked to your passport electronically. You don’t receive a stamp or a sticker, you simply travel on the same passport you used to apply.
An approved ETA lets eligible non‑visa nationals travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man and, on entry, be admitted for visits of up to six months at a time for tourism, family visits, business trips or short‑term study.
Page Contents
- What Is an Electronic Travel Authorisation?
- Who Needs an ETA for UK Travel?
- Do EU, EEA, and Swiss Nationals Require an ETA?
- Travelling as a Family or Group?
- Non-Irish Residents of Ireland
- The ETA and the Common Travel Area (CTA)
- How to Apply for a UK ETA
- How Much Does a UK ETA Cost?
- When Should You Apply for an ETA?
- How Long Does an ETA Last?
- What Is the Difference Between an ETA and an eVisa?
- What Happens if Your ETA Application Is Refused?
- Do Children Need a Separate ETA?
- How Can Newcastle Immigration Lawyers Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who Needs an ETA for UK Travel?
Most visitors who do not currently need a visa to come to the UK will need an ETA, including many nationals from Europe, North America, Australasia, and other visa‑exempt countries, such as EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals, as well as travellers from the USA, Canada, and Australia.
Who Does Not Need an ETA?
The following people are exempt from the ETA requirement:
- British citizens, including those with dual nationality
- Irish citizens
- People who already have a valid UK visa
- People who already have permission to live, work or study in the UK, including those with settled or pre‑settled status or a right of abode
- People who have permission to live, work or study in Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man under their local immigration rules
- Travellers transiting airside through a UK airport who do not pass through UK border control
- Some British nationals, such as certain British Overseas Territories citizens and British Nationals (Overseas), may be exempt where they already hold permission or are otherwise not required to obtain an ETA under the rules
- Residents of Ireland who are travelling from within the Common Travel Area (the UK, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man) and who meet the conditions of that exemption
- Children listed on an approved France–UK school trip travel information form under the Home Office collective travel scheme
- People who are exempt from immigration control, such as certain diplomats and others covered by specific arrangements
- People with a pending EU Settlement Scheme application who hold a valid Certificate of Application confirming they can continue to travel and exercise their rights while they wait for a decision
Dual Citizenship and the ETA UK Requirement
If you hold dual citizenship and one of your nationalities is British or Irish, you do not need to apply for an ETA. British dual nationals are expected to travel on a valid British passport or on another passport that contains a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode. Irish dual nationals should travel on their Irish passport.
If you are unsure whether you are a British citizen, you can check using the “Check if you’re a British citizen” guidance on GOV.UK.
Do EU, EEA, and Swiss Nationals Require an ETA?
Yes. From 2 April 2025, all EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who do not already have a UK visa or immigration status must hold a valid ETA to travel to the UK without a visa.
Irish citizens are exempt from the ETA requirement under the Common Travel Area. This applies whether you travel by air, sea or rail, including on services such as Eurostar.
Travelling as a Family or Group?
Each person travelling to the UK needs their own ETA, including babies and young children. There is no family or group application, every traveller must apply and pay the fee separately.
You can apply on behalf of someone else, including children. If the person you are applying for is with you, you can use the UK ETA app. If they are not with you, you can apply online, using a digital photo of their passport and a recent photo of their face. There is no group discount, and no priority or expedited processing available.
Non-Irish Residents of Ireland
Overview
If you live in Ireland but have a nationality that would require an ETA, you may be exempt from needing one if you travel to the UK directly from within the Common Travel Area (Ireland, the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man). If you travel to the UK from any other country, you will still need an ETA if your nationality requires it.
If your nationality requires a visa, rather than an ETA, to visit the UK, living in Ireland does not exempt you. You must still apply for a visa before you travel.
Proving Your Residence in Ireland
If you are 16 or over and relying on the Irish‑resident exemption, you must carry an original document that proves you live in Ireland, such as:
- Irish driving licence or learner permit
- Medical card or GP visit card
- European Health Insurance Card
- Irish Residence Permit
- Permanent Residence Certificate
- National Age Card
- Diplomatic identity card
The document must be original, issued by the Irish authorities and valid when you travel. If you are under 16, you do not need to carry proof of residence to rely on this exemption.
The ETA and the Common Travel Area (CTA)
The Common Travel Area (CTA) covers the UK, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man. British and Irish citizens move freely within it, with no immigration checks between these territories.
The ETA applies to non-visa nationals travelling to the UK from outside the CTA. If you’re lawfully resident in Ireland and travel directly to the UK from within the CTA, you may be exempt. If you leave the CTA first, say, you fly to Spain and then travel to the UK, you’ll need an ETA if your nationality requires one.
The Ireland–Northern Ireland land border is open, with no routine immigration controls at the frontier. Non-Irish nationals who require an ETA are expected to hold one even when crossing by land from Ireland, though enforcement here is limited and the government has said it will keep the position under review.
How to Apply for a UK ETA
Applications are made online or through the official UK ETA app (available on Google Play and the App Store). You should not use third‑party websites to apply, as the only official route is the Home Office’s own application system. Some unofficial websites charge higher fees to apply on your behalf, so apply directly through the UK government to pay the correct fee.
What You’ll Need to Apply
- The passport you intend to travel with
- An email address
- A clear digital photo of your passport
- A recent digital photo of your face
- A way to pay the fee, such as a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Download the UK ETA app or go to the official online application page
- Enter your passport details and personal information
- Upload a photo of your passport and a photo of your face
- Answer a short set of suitability and criminality questions
- Pay the £20 fee
- Submit your application and wait for a decision by email
Decisions are sent by email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and include a 16‑digit ETA reference number. Do not travel until you have received your approval email.
How Much Does a UK ETA Cost?
The ETA fee is currently £20 per person. This fee is non‑refundable, even if your application is refused or you decide not to travel. It was increased from £16 in April 2026.
There are no fee waivers, family discounts, or priority processing options available. Each person, including infants, must pay the £20 fee individually.
When Should You Apply for an ETA?
Most applications are decided automatically within minutes, especially through the UK ETA app. Some go to manual review and can take up to three working days. Cases with a criminal history or prior immigration issues may take even longer.
The Home Office recommends applying at least three working days before travel, but one to two weeks in advance is more realistic. It leaves room for delays, follow-up checks, or simply not having to scramble the night before a flight.
Since 25 February 2026, airlines, ferries, and train operators, including Eurostar, must verify that passengers hold valid travel permission before boarding. No approved ETA means no boarding.
How Long Does an ETA Last?
An approved ETA is valid for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During this period, you can make multiple trips to the UK for visits of up to 6 months each. When your ETA expires, or if you get a new passport, you will need to apply for a new ETA.
You can find or update information about your ETA using the official UK ETA app or the ETA guidance on GOV.UK, and you should keep a copy of your approval email for your records.
What Is the Difference Between an ETA and an eVisa?
These are two distinct types of digital travel permissions:
| ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) | eVisa | |
| Who it is for | Non‑visa nationals who do not need a visa to visit the UK | People who need a visa or have other UK immigration permission |
| Cost | £20 per person | Varies by visa or permission type |
| Validity | Up to 2 years, or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner | Depends on the visa or immigration status granted |
| Length of stay | Visits of up to 6 months at a time | The period granted by the specific visa or status |
| Work and study rights | Does not itself allow work or study beyond what visitor rules permit | May allow work or study, depending on the underlying visa or immigration permission |
If you hold a valid UK visa or other UK immigration permission, you do not need an ETA. That permission is what allows you to travel. If it has expired, or you intend to travel on a different passport from the one it is linked to, check your position before you book anything.
An eVisa is a digital record of your UK visa or immigration status. It replaced physical documents, such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), for most people. If your eVisa is current and tied to the passport you are travelling with, it is enough to enter the UK. You do not need an ETA on top of it.
What Happens if Your ETA Application Is Refused?
Overview
ETA refusals do happen. Common reasons include previous criminal convictions, past immigration breaches, security concerns, or giving inaccurate or incomplete information in your application. If your ETA is refused, you will receive a notification explaining that your application was unsuccessful, although detailed reasons are not always provided.
Can You Appeal an ETA Refusal?
There is no formal right of appeal against an ETA refusal. Reapplying is an option, though, particularly if the refusal stemmed from incorrect or incomplete information. Getting the details right the second time around can be enough.
If you have a criminal record or previous immigration issues, take advice before reapplying. The reasons for refusal are not always spelt out, and an immigration specialist can help you work out what went wrong and whether reapplying is worth pursuing.
Where reapplication is unlikely to succeed, a Standard Visitor visa may be the more appropriate route.
Do Children Need a Separate ETA?
Yes. Every traveller, regardless of age, including infants and young children, requires their own ETA. There is no minimum age exemption, and each child’s application is charged the standard £20 fee.
Parents or guardians can apply on behalf of children. When applying through the UK ETA app, the child should be with you. When applying online, you will need a photo of the child’s passport and a photo of their face.
How Can Newcastle Immigration Lawyers Help?
For most travellers, the ETA process is quick and uneventful. When it isn’t, a refusal, a dual citizenship question, or confusion over whether you need an ETA or a visa, it helps to speak to someone who knows the rules.
Newcastle Immigration Lawyers advises clients on UK travel and immigration across a wide range of situations. Whether you’re planning a short visit, a business trip, or travelling as a family from outside the UK, we can review your circumstances and give you clear, practical guidance.
If you’ve had an ETA refused, have a complicated immigration history, or are unsure which permission applies to you, get in touch before you book. Call us at 0191 303 8965, or contact us online.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Newcastle Immigration Lawyers before making any decisions based on the content provided.
Last modified on June 15th, 2026 at 4:25 pm
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