When do I need a UK ETA?

From the date the scheme applies to your nationality (rolling 2024-2026 enrolment). If you previously entered the UK visa-free, the ETA is now mandatory before boarding. The ETA does not replace a visit visa for stays over six months.

How long does the UK government take to issue an ETA?

Most ETAs are decided within 72 hours of submission. Our Rush tier reviews your application within 24 hours so the UK Home Office receives a clean form. Super Rush prioritises review same-day.

Can I work in the UK with an ETA?

No. The ETA covers tourism, business meetings, short study and transit. Paid work requires a separate work visa. Our specialists will flag this if the wizard answers suggest a work purpose.

Does my child need their own ETA?

Yes. Each traveller including infants needs an individual ETA tied to their passport. VisitPass supports multiple travellers in a single application.

How long is the UK ETA valid?

The ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, with multiple entries of up to six months each.

How much does a UK ETA cost?

You pay one all-inclusive price that includes the UK government fee, which goes directly to UK Visas and Immigration, and our service fee for checking and submitting your application. The government portion is itemised on your receipt, with no hidden charges.

Is the official UK ETA app the only way to apply?

No. The UK Home Office runs an official UK ETA app, but using it is optional. VisitPass is an independent service that checks your details against current UK rules and submits the application for you, with the government fee passed straight to UK Visas and Immigration.

Do US citizens need a UK ETA?

Yes. US citizens are visa-exempt for short visits but now need an approved ETA before they board, just like most European, Canadian, Australian and Japanese travellers. It is valid for two years and allows multiple stays of up to six months. We confirm your eligibility against the current list before you pay.

Do I need to print my UK ETA before I travel?

No. The approved ETA is held electronically against your passport, so the airline and UK Border Force read it automatically when your passport is scanned and there is nothing to print or carry. We still suggest saving your approval email or application reference so you can check the status before you fly if you want to.

How long can I stay, and can I extend a UK ETA?

Each entry on an ETA allows a stay of up to six months for tourism, family visits, business or short study. The six months cannot be extended on an ETA, and you cannot use back-to-back trips to live in the UK. If you need to stay longer, apply for the appropriate UK visa before you travel rather than relying on the ETA.

Do I need a UK ETA if I am only transiting?

Usually yes. Most visa-exempt travellers need an approved ETA to transit through the UK, including when changing flights airside without passing through border control. A narrow set of airside transit cases can differ, so we check your itinerary and nationality against the current rules and tell you whether an ETA is required for your connection.

What happens if my UK ETA is refused?

If an ETA is not approved it usually means a visit visa is the right route for that trip, for example because of a previous immigration issue or criminal record, and you would apply for the appropriate UK visa instead. Where a refusal is outside your control our service fee is refunded; the government fee is paid to the authority and is non-refundable.

How far in advance should I apply for a UK ETA?

Apply a few days before you travel rather than at the airport. The UK Home Office decides most ETAs within 72 hours, and many the same day, but a case can occasionally take longer if it needs extra checks. Booking ahead gives room for that decision and a margin to fix any error, especially before non-refundable flights or hotels. An approved ETA stays valid for two years, so applying early carries no downside.

What is the most common reason a UK ETA is delayed or refused, and how can I avoid it?

Most avoidable problems come from a mismatch with your passport: a mistyped name, a wrong passport number, or a date entered incorrectly. Because the ETA is linked electronically to your passport, even one wrong character can hold you up at boarding. We check every answer against the details you enter and flag anything inconsistent before submission, so the UK Home Office receives a clean, accurate application.

What might a UK Border Force officer ask me on arrival?

An ETA lets you travel and request entry, but a Border Force officer makes the final decision. They may ask the purpose and length of your visit, where you are staying, and whether you can support yourself, so keep your return or onward ticket, your accommodation address and proof of funds easy to reach. Honest, consistent answers that match your ETA application make arrival straightforward.

What photo do I need for a UK ETA?

You need a recent, clear photograph of your face on a plain, light background, with no hat or sunglasses and your eyes open. A phone photo taken in good, even light is usually enough, and the official UK ETA app can capture it during the application. The photo is the item travellers most often overlook, so we prompt you for a usable image before your application goes to the UK Home Office.

United Kingdom ETA · VisitPass

Overview

The Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA, is the United Kingdom's online permission to travel for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays. It is not a visa: it is a digital authorisation, linked electronically to your passport, that lets you board a carrier and request entry to the UK before you travel. An approved ETA is valid for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple entries.

Each visit can last up to six months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business meetings, short study or transit. The ETA does not cover paid work, long-term study or stays longer than six months, which need the corresponding UK visa applied for separately. Visa-exempt nationals are covered, including most citizens of the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan, and each traveller needs their own ETA, including children and infants.

Because the authorisation is tied to one passport, you must travel on the same passport you applied with; if you renew it, you apply again. If your nationality is not in the visa-exempt list, or you plan to live, work or study long-term in the UK, you will need a visa instead. Your UK ETA is prepared in your own language and every answer is checked before it is submitted to the Home Office.

At a glance

The key facts for a United Kingdom ETA application.

Visa type: ETA
What you need: Your passport
Validity: 2 years
Maximum stay: 6 months per entry
Entry type: Multiple

Who can apply

The main eligibility conditions for this destination, and who can apply.

Required for visa-exempt nationals, including most EU, US, Australian, Canadian and Japanese citizens. Children and infants need their own ETA. The authorisation is valid for two years or until passport expiry, with multiple entries up to six months each.

What you'll need

Have these ready before you begin your application. Requirements can vary by nationality and trip purpose.

Passport from a UK ETA-eligible nationality
Recent digital passport photo on a plain background
Travel dates and accommodation address in the UK
Email address for ETA delivery
Payment method (one all-inclusive price)

Requirements in detail

A UK ETA asks for less than a visa, but every detail must match your passport exactly, because the authorisation is linked to it electronically rather than stamped in it. You need a passport from an eligible nationality, valid for your trip, and you should have its number and its issue and expiry dates to hand. The UK ETA does require a clear, recent photograph of your face on a plain background, with no hat or sunglasses, so a phone photo in good light is usually enough; this is the one item travellers most often overlook.

Most applicants need no separate supporting documents, only honest answers to the eligibility questions about your travel history and any criminal record. A valid email address receives the decision, and a payment card covers one all-inclusive price that includes the government fee and the service fee, with the government portion itemised on your receipt. The UK ETA is normally applied for through the Home Office's official UK ETA app, which scans the passport chip; the application is reviewed around that filing model, the same way as for Australia.

Check the spelling of your name and your passport number against the passport itself, because a single mistyped character is the most common avoidable error and a mismatch can hold you up at boarding.

Government processing time

What the issuing authority typically takes once the application is submitted.

Government processing: the UK Home Office decides most ETAs within 72 hours, and many come back the same day, though a small share can take longer if a case needs extra checks. VisitPass review runs first: Standard within 1 to 3 business days, Rush within 1 business day, Super Rush in under 6 hours. The form is confirmed complete, submitted to the authority, and the confirmation issued. When to apply: start at least a few days before you travel so there is room for the government decision, and apply well ahead for any non-refundable bookings rather than at the airport.

On arrival

Your approved UK ETA is held electronically against your passport, so there is nothing to print and no document to carry; the airline and UK Border Force see it automatically when your passport is scanned. Travel on the exact passport you applied with, since the authorisation is tied to that document and will not be found on any other. An ETA lets you board and request entry, but it is not a guarantee of admission: a Border Force officer at the port of entry makes the final decision and may ask about the purpose and length of your visit.

Have your return or onward ticket, your UK accommodation address and proof of funds ready to show if asked. Saving your approval email or application reference is sensible in case you want to check the status before you fly.

Planning your trip

The United Kingdom rewards a slower pace once you leave the capital. London's museums, parks and royal landmarks fill several days on their own, but the regions are the real reward. In Scotland, Edinburgh's old town and castle make a natural base before the Highlands and the lochs around Fort William, where single-track roads and long glens reward an unhurried route. Northern England has the fells, lakes and stone villages of the Lake District, while the south west offers Cornwall's surf coves and coastal paths. For history at a gentler scale, Bath's Georgian crescents and Roman baths and Oxford's colleges and riverside walks each make an easy day or two. Fast trains link the main cities, so anchor on one or two regions and book popular routes ahead in summer rather than racing between them. Late spring to early autumn brings the longest days and the mildest weather, though the climate changes by the hour in any season. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket whatever the forecast, and carry a card, which is accepted almost everywhere.

One all-inclusive price

One price per visa with everything included. The government portion goes to the issuing authority and is non-refundable, itemised on your official receipt. Our service covers a full review of your application, secure handling and 24/7 email support.

From

$145.00

Standard tier, one all-inclusive price. You choose your processing speed at checkout, where the final price is confirmed.

Apply now See full pricing breakdown →

The government portion shown is an approximate USD equivalent of the issuing authority's official charge; the exact all-inclusive price is confirmed at checkout.

How to apply

Three steps from start to approval.

Complete the form
Answer the official questions online. Your draft is saved for 30 days, so you can finish once your documents are to hand.
Pay securely
You see the one all-inclusive price before you pay. We check your application for completeness before it reaches the government portal.
Receive by email
Your approved travel authorisation arrives by email. Bring it, or a copy, together with the passport you applied with when you travel.

Read the full United Kingdom ETA guide

Questions about this destination

Common questions specific to this visa. For broader topics see our help centre.

When do I need a UK ETA?
From the date the scheme applies to your nationality (rolling 2024-2026 enrolment). If you previously entered the UK visa-free, the ETA is now mandatory before boarding. The ETA does not replace a visit visa for stays over six months.
How long does the UK government take to issue an ETA?
Most ETAs are decided within 72 hours of submission. Our Rush tier reviews your application within 24 hours so the UK Home Office receives a clean form. Super Rush prioritises review same-day.
Can I work in the UK with an ETA?
No. The ETA covers tourism, business meetings, short study and transit. Paid work requires a separate work visa. Our specialists will flag this if the wizard answers suggest a work purpose.
Does my child need their own ETA?
Yes. Each traveller including infants needs an individual ETA tied to their passport. VisitPass supports multiple travellers in a single application.
How long is the UK ETA valid?
The ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, with multiple entries of up to six months each.
How much does a UK ETA cost?
You pay one all-inclusive price that includes the UK government fee, which goes directly to UK Visas and Immigration, and our service fee for checking and submitting your application. The government portion is itemised on your receipt, with no hidden charges.
Is the official UK ETA app the only way to apply?
No. The UK Home Office runs an official UK ETA app, but using it is optional. VisitPass is an independent service that checks your details against current UK rules and submits the application for you, with the government fee passed straight to UK Visas and Immigration.
Do US citizens need a UK ETA?
Yes. US citizens are visa-exempt for short visits but now need an approved ETA before they board, just like most European, Canadian, Australian and Japanese travellers. It is valid for two years and allows multiple stays of up to six months. We confirm your eligibility against the current list before you pay.
Do I need to print my UK ETA before I travel?
No. The approved ETA is held electronically against your passport, so the airline and UK Border Force read it automatically when your passport is scanned and there is nothing to print or carry. We still suggest saving your approval email or application reference so you can check the status before you fly if you want to.
How long can I stay, and can I extend a UK ETA?
Each entry on an ETA allows a stay of up to six months for tourism, family visits, business or short study. The six months cannot be extended on an ETA, and you cannot use back-to-back trips to live in the UK. If you need to stay longer, apply for the appropriate UK visa before you travel rather than relying on the ETA.
Do I need a UK ETA if I am only transiting?
Usually yes. Most visa-exempt travellers need an approved ETA to transit through the UK, including when changing flights airside without passing through border control. A narrow set of airside transit cases can differ, so we check your itinerary and nationality against the current rules and tell you whether an ETA is required for your connection.
What happens if my UK ETA is refused?
If an ETA is not approved it usually means a visit visa is the right route for that trip, for example because of a previous immigration issue or criminal record, and you would apply for the appropriate UK visa instead. Where a refusal is outside your control our service fee is refunded; the government fee is paid to the authority and is non-refundable.
How far in advance should I apply for a UK ETA?
Apply a few days before you travel rather than at the airport. The UK Home Office decides most ETAs within 72 hours, and many the same day, but a case can occasionally take longer if it needs extra checks. Booking ahead gives room for that decision and a margin to fix any error, especially before non-refundable flights or hotels. An approved ETA stays valid for two years, so applying early carries no downside.
What is the most common reason a UK ETA is delayed or refused, and how can I avoid it?
Most avoidable problems come from a mismatch with your passport: a mistyped name, a wrong passport number, or a date entered incorrectly. Because the ETA is linked electronically to your passport, even one wrong character can hold you up at boarding. We check every answer against the details you enter and flag anything inconsistent before submission, so the UK Home Office receives a clean, accurate application.
What might a UK Border Force officer ask me on arrival?
An ETA lets you travel and request entry, but a Border Force officer makes the final decision. They may ask the purpose and length of your visit, where you are staying, and whether you can support yourself, so keep your return or onward ticket, your accommodation address and proof of funds easy to reach. Honest, consistent answers that match your ETA application make arrival straightforward.
What photo do I need for a UK ETA?
You need a recent, clear photograph of your face on a plain, light background, with no hat or sunglasses and your eyes open. A phone photo taken in good, even light is usually enough, and the official UK ETA app can capture it during the application. The photo is the item travellers most often overlook, so we prompt you for a usable image before your application goes to the UK Home Office.

Specialist review on every file

We look at your file for the small errors that get applications refused, before any government does. Real reviewers, not AI form-fillers, not outsourced clerical work.

We don't quote specialist headcounts. Our commitment is simple: a real person reviews every file.

United Kingdom help desk

Have questions about your ETA? Email the United Kingdom desk and we reply within 24 hours.

uk@visitpass-online.com

Other destinations we cover

Browse visas and travel authorisations for more destinations.

Travel authorisations (ETA / ESTA)

e-Visas

Arrival cards

More destinations

VisitPass is an independent visa-application service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any government. Government fees go directly to the issuing authority and are listed separately in your receipt.

Verify rules and fees independently at the official portal: www.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation

United KingdomETA