Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

What Is the UK ETA?

The UK ETA is a digital pre-travel permission linked to the traveller’s passport. It replaces the pre-travel permission previously granted by the absence of a visa for non-visa nationals and brings the UK into line with the ESTA and ETIAS schemes operated by other countries. The Home Office issued 24.8 million ETAs between October 2023 and the end of 2025. Enforcement began on 25 February 2026, meaning that carriers must verify a valid ETA or other qualifying status before allowing an eligible traveller to board.

Who Needs a UK ETA in 2026?

You need a UK ETA if you are a non-visa national travelling to the UK for short visits of up to six months, and you do not already hold a UK visa or UK immigration status. The scheme was phased in between October 2023 (Qatar) and April 2025 (European non-visa nationals) and is now fully operational for all eligible nationalities. Travellers without an ETA cannot board their transport and will be refused carriage.

Who Does Not Need an ETA?

The following groups are exempt:

• British and Irish citizens. Dual British citizens must travel on a valid British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement.
• Holders of a valid UK eVisa, or an EU Settlement Scheme status.
• Legal residents of Ireland travelling within the Common Travel Area, where the traveller is a non-visa national and holds proof of Irish residency.

Visa nationals need a visa, such as a Standard Visitor Visa before they travel, not an ETA.

If you are unsure whether you need an ETA or a visa, call +44 (0)208 757 5751 or book a consultation.

Cost, Validity and What an ETA Permits

The ETA costs £20 per applicant. Third-party services may charge more; the Home Office fee is the only fee payable if you apply via the official app or GOV.UK. The ETA permits multiple journeys over two years, or until the underlying passport expires, whichever is sooner. Each visit is capped at six months and must be consistent with the Standard Visitor Visa rules.

An ETA does not grant entry. Border Force can still refuse entry on suitability or genuine-visitor grounds. An ETA cannot be used for paid work, for study beyond six months, or for any activity outside the permitted Standard Visitor list.

How to Apply for a UK ETA

Apply through the UK ETA app on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, or via the official page on GOV.UK. You will need a valid passport, a biometric-compliant digital photograph, contact details, and answers to standard suitability questions. Most applicants receive an automatic decision within minutes, but the Home Office advises applying at least three working days before travel. The ETA is linked to the passport used in the application; travel on a different passport invalidates the permission.

How Whytecroft Ford Can Help

Whytecroft Ford is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority, registration F201900075. To discuss an ETA, call +44 (0)208 757 5751, email info@whytecroftford.com, or book a consultation.

Sources

• Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), GOV.UK
• Check if you need an ETA, GOV.UK
• ETA guide for dual citizens, GOV.UK

Disclaimer

This guide is published by Whytecroft Ford Ltd for general information only. It is not legal advice and does not create an adviser-client relationship. The ETA scheme and fees are subject to change; the figures in this guide reflect the Home Office factsheet published in April 2026. Whytecroft Ford Ltd is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority, registration F201900075.