UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): Complete Guide 2026

What is the UK ETA?

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation is a digital travel permission that allows non-visa nationals to visit the UK for short stays. It is not a visa. Unlike a visa, which requires a formal application with supporting documents, an ETA is a lightweight electronic check linked directly to your passport. There is no physical stamp, no vignette, and no document to print — your authorisation exists entirely as a digital record attached to your passport number.

The system works in advance of travel. Airlines and carriers are required to check whether passengers hold a valid ETA or visa before allowing them to board. If you do not have one and you need one, you will not be permitted to fly. The ETA does not, however, guarantee you entry to the UK once you arrive — Border Force officers retain full discretion to refuse entry at the border for any lawful reason.

The UK ETA scheme was introduced in stages starting in 2024, with non-visa nationals (including US, Canadian, and most European nationals) required to have an ETA from 2 January 2025.

Who needs a UK ETA?

You need a UK ETA if you are a national of a country that does not normally require a UK visa for short visits, and you want to visit, transit through, or come to the UK for certain short-stay purposes. This covers a wide range of nationalities, including citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and most European Union and EEA countries.

EEA and Swiss nationals — who previously entered the UK freely without any pre-travel permission — have been required to hold an ETA since January 2025. This is one of the most significant changes in UK entry requirements since the country left the European Union.

Whether you need an ETA depends on both your nationality and your reason for travel. Most visitors and transit passengers from the eligible countries need one, but there are important exemptions (covered in the next section). The correct starting point is always the government visa checker, which accounts for all the edge cases.

Who is exempt from the UK ETA?

Not everyone needs to apply. The following people do not need an ETA to travel to the UK:

If your ETA application was refused and you have a criminal record or a previous UK entry refusal, you may wish to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa instead, which allows you to provide explanatory information directly.

ETA cost and validity (2026)

The UK ETA costs £20 per application as of 8 April 2026. The fee increased from £16 on that date. You pay the fee when you apply online or through the UKVI app, and it is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.

Once approved, an ETA is valid for two years from the date of approval, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. While it remains valid, you can travel to the UK as many times as you wish. There is no limit on the number of trips.

The ETA is linked electronically to the specific passport you used when applying. If you renew or replace your passport, your ETA becomes invalid and you must apply again on the new passport. It is not possible to transfer an ETA to a different passport document.

How to apply for a UK ETA

The application process is straightforward and takes most people under ten minutes. The Home Office strongly recommends applying through official channels only — third-party websites often charge significantly more than the £20 official fee for no additional service.

Once approved, your ETA is automatically linked to your passport. You do not need to carry any document or print anything — simply present your passport at check-in and at the UK border as normal.

What you can do with a UK ETA

An ETA covers a range of visit purposes. With a valid ETA, you can:

Business visitors and the UK ETA

If you are coming to the UK on business, an ETA covers most standard business activities — attending meetings, conferences, or trade fairs; negotiating contracts; conducting intra-company visits; or representing a foreign employer at a UK-based event.

What it does not cover is working for a UK organisation or being paid by a UK source. If you are employed in the UK, receiving a salary from a UK entity, or providing services directly to UK clients as a contractor, you need a work visa — not an ETA. The distinction matters: border officers do ask, and getting it wrong can result in refusal of entry.

Some categories of short-term paid work are covered under "permitted paid engagements," such as a single conference keynote or an academic lecture series. These are narrowly defined. If your situation does not clearly fit the permitted paid engagement rules, take immigration advice before travelling rather than assuming your ETA will cover it. See the work visa guides if you are considering a longer-term arrangement.

How long can you stay in the UK on an ETA?

The standard maximum stay is six months per visit, which is the same permission granted under the old Standard Visitor rules. Some purposes carry shorter limits — creative worker concession visits are capped at three months, for example — but for most visitors coming for tourism, family, or business, six months is the ceiling.

You cannot extend a stay granted on an ETA from within the UK. If you want to stay longer than the leave granted on your last entry, you must leave the UK and return under a different permission such as a visa.

One important nuance: an ETA does not grant you a right to live in the UK through back-to-back short visits. Border Force officers are entitled to question visitors who appear to be using repeated entries to establish de facto residence. If you plan to spend a significant proportion of your time in the UK across multiple trips, you may eventually be refused entry even if your ETA is technically valid. The Standard Visitor Visa route is subject to the same principle.

ETA vs Standard Visitor Visa: which do you need?

The ETA has replaced the Standard Visitor Visa for most nationalities who were previously able to enter the UK visa-free. However, the Standard Visitor Visa remains available and is sometimes the better choice. Here is how they compare:

If you have an ETA nationality but have previously been refused entry, have a criminal conviction, or anticipate that your reason for travelling may be questioned, applying for a Standard Visitor Visa gives you the opportunity to provide context. Read our full guide to the Standard Visitor Visa for detail on eligibility and the application process.

If your ETA application is refused

The Home Office may refuse an ETA without providing detailed reasons. Common grounds for refusal include criminal history, previous immigration violations, or information suggesting the visit purpose is not as stated. A refusal is not necessarily permanent — you can apply again, and if circumstances have changed or the original application contained an error, a new application may succeed.

If you believe a refusal was made in error, you have two practical options: reapply with more care and accuracy, or apply for a Standard Visitor Visa instead, which allows you to submit supporting documentation explaining your circumstances. There is no formal administrative review or appeal for a refused ETA.

A refused ETA does not automatically mean you will be refused entry to the UK permanently, but it is a flag that Border Force can see. If you are refused entry at the UK border itself, that is a separate and more serious situation — seek qualified immigration advice before making any further travel plans.

Getting ready to travel

The UK ETA has streamlined short-term travel for tens of millions of people who previously entered the UK without any advance authorisation. For most visitors, the process is quick, affordable, and entirely digital — but it does require planning ahead. Attempting to board a flight without a valid ETA will result in being denied at the gate, not at the UK border.

What the ETA does not change is the fundamental nature of the UK's visitor rules: you are permitted to visit, not to settle. The conditions — no paid work, no frequent back-to-back residency, no formal study — are identical to what applied under the old visa-free entry arrangements. Border Force discretion remains. A valid ETA is a pre-condition of travel, not a guarantee of entry.

If your travel plans are straightforward — a holiday, a family visit, a business conference — apply early, use only the official UKVI app or gov.uk, and keep your email confirmation accessible. For anything more complex, the guidance on the visas and immigration hub or a brief consultation with a regulated immigration adviser is time well spent before you book flights.

Immigration disclaimer: This guide is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. UK immigration rules change frequently. Always verify current requirements at gov.uk or consult a regulated immigration adviser before making travel decisions. Moving to the UK is not a law firm and is not regulated by the OISC.