If you are visiting the UK from a country whose citizens do not need a visa, such as the USA, Canada or any EU country, you now must hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you travel. It costs £20, lasts for two years, and has been strictly enforced since 25 February 2026. Without one, your airline or ferry company can refuse to let you board.
- Visitors from 85 visa-exempt nationalities need an ETA, including all EU nationals since 2 April 2025.
- The fee rose from £16 to £20 on 8 April 2026.
- An ETA lasts two years, or until your passport expires, and covers visits of up to six months.
- British and Irish citizens, and anyone with a UK visa or eVisa, do not need one.
What is a UK ETA?
An ETA is a digital permission to travel, linked to your passport. It is not a visa. It lets you travel to the UK for tourism, family visits, business meetings or short courses, but it does not let you work or live in the UK.
Who needs an ETA?
You need an ETA if you are a national of a country that does not need a visa for short UK visits. That covers the EU and EEA, Switzerland, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Gulf states and many others: 85 nationalities in total.
If you are from a country whose citizens need a visa to visit the UK, such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh or Nigeria, an ETA does not apply to you. You need a Standard Visitor visa instead.
Who does not need an ETA?
- British and Irish citizens, including dual nationals. Dual British citizens should travel on a British passport or hold a certificate of entitlement.
- Anyone with a valid UK visa, eVisa or other permission to enter or stay, including settled and pre-settled status.
- People legally resident in Ireland travelling to the UK from within the Common Travel Area.
How much does a UK ETA cost?
The ETA costs £20 per person, including children. It rose from £10 to £16 in April 2025, and then to £20 on 8 April 2026. Apply only through the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK, because unofficial websites charge extra for the same thing.
How long is an ETA valid for?
An ETA is valid for two years, or until the passport you applied with expires, whichever comes first. You can make multiple trips, each lasting up to six months. If you get a new passport, you need a new ETA.
How to apply
- Download the UK ETA app, or use the GOV.UK website.
- Scan your passport and take a photo of your face.
- Answer the suitability questions and pay £20.
- Wait for a decision by email. Most come within minutes, but allow three working days.
What happens if you travel without one?
Since 25 February 2026, carriers have had to check that every visa-exempt passenger holds an ETA or other UK permission before boarding. If you do not have one, you can be refused boarding, and a pending application is no longer enough.
What if your ETA is refused?
There is no appeal against an ETA refusal. You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead, which costs £135 from 8 April 2026 and looks at your circumstances in more detail. If your ETA was refused because of a past refusal, overstay or conviction, it is worth getting advice from a regulated adviser before you apply, as the visa application will need to deal with it directly.
ETA refused, or not sure which you need?
IAUK’s advisers help visitors with Standard Visitor visa applications, including after an ETA refusal or a previous visa refusal.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ETA if I live in the UK?
Not if you have UK immigration permission, such as a visa, eVisa, settled or pre-settled status. Your permission is checked instead.
Do EU citizens need an ETA for the UK?
Yes. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens have needed an ETA since 2 April 2025. Irish citizens are the exception.
How much is the UK ETA in 2026?
£20 per person, since 8 April 2026.
Can I work in the UK with an ETA?
No. An ETA is for visits only. To work in the UK you need a work visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Figures checked against GOV.UK. We confirm current requirements at your free assessment. This article is general information, not advice on your individual case.
Sources: GOV.UK: apply for an ETA, GOV.UK: ETA enforcement announcement.