UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation): Official Fee, Who Needs It and Where to Apply

An ETA lets you travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to 6 months, for tourism, visiting family or certain other reasons. It is not a visa, and it costs £20 on the government's own app and website. gov.uk · read

Official fee
£20
gov.uk · read
Lasts
2 years, or until your passport expires
gov.uk · read
Each visit
Up to 6 months per visit
gov.uk · read
Decision
Usually within a day, but up to 3 working days
gov.uk · read
Apply on GOV.UK, the official site

Or use the official UK ETA app: App Store · Google Play. Apply in the UK ETA app, or online on GOV.UK if you cannot use the app. gov.uk · read

These are the UK government's own links. We are not paid to send you there, and there is no service in between.

Who needs a UK ETA

Nationals of the 82 countries and territories below, and holders of a Taiwan passport that includes an identification card number. Every traveller needs one, including babies and children. gov.uk · read

gov.uk last updated this list on 9 April 2026. Other nationalities cannot get an ETA, and need to check whether they need a visa.

Some travel-requirement datasets, including the one behind our own route pages, still show an ETA for Saint Lucia and Nicaragua. gov.uk does not list them. On 5 March 2026 it said: "Nationals of Nicaragua and St Lucia can no longer get an ETA." gov.uk · read On 5 March 2026 it said: "Nationals of Nicaragua and St Lucia can no longer get an ETA." gov.uk · read Follow gov.uk.

Who does not need one

  • You are a British or Irish citizen. Dual citizens with British or Irish citizenship cannot get an ETA.
  • You have a UK visa, or permission to live, work or study in the UK, including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode
  • You have permission to live, work or study in Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man
  • You are transiting airside without passing through UK border control
  • You are travelling on a British overseas territories citizen or British National (Overseas) passport
  • You live in Ireland and are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
  • You are waiting for a decision on your EU Settlement Scheme application

Paraphrased from the gov.uk list. gov.uk · read If your nationality is not on the list above and none of these applies, you need a visa: see who needs a UK visa.

Changing planes in the UK

You need an ETA if you pass through UK border control before your onward flight. gov.uk · read

You do not need one if you stay airside and do not pass through border control. If you are not sure which you are, your airline can tell you. gov.uk · read

Nationalities that need a visa have separate transit rules. See transit visas.

After you apply

  • Wait for the email confirming your ETA before you travel. gov.uk · read
  • An ETA does not guarantee entry. gov.uk · read
  • You cannot get a faster decision through another website or app. gov.uk · read
  • Lost the email? gov.uk has a free page to check an existing ETA.

What changed

Removals from the ETA list, as gov.uk records them.

  1. Nationals of Nicaragua and St Lucia can no longer get an ETA. gov.uk · read
  2. Nauruan nationals can no longer get an ETA. gov.uk · read
  3. Botswana was removed from the list. gov.uk · read
  4. Trinidad and Tobago nationals can no longer get an ETA. gov.uk · read
  5. Colombian nationals now need a visa to visit the UK. gov.uk · read

Questions

How much does a UK ETA cost?
£20 on gov.uk or in the official UK ETA app. No refund after you apply. Other websites may charge more to submit the same application.
How long does a UK ETA last?
2 years, or until your passport expires if that is sooner. Unlimited trips in that time.
How long does a UK ETA take?
Usually within a day, but up to 3 working days. Wait for the email confirming your ETA before you travel.
Who needs a UK ETA?
Nationals of the 82 countries and territories on gov.uk's list, and holders of Taiwan passports that include an identification card number. Other nationalities cannot get an ETA, and need to check whether they need a visa.
Do children need a UK ETA?
Every traveller needs one, including babies and children.
Do I need a UK ETA to change planes in London?
You need an ETA if you pass through UK border control before your onward flight. You do not need one if you stay airside and do not pass through border control.

More on visiting the UK

Every figure on this page was read on gov.uk; the newest read was 4 October 2026. Check every figure against the government page before you pay.