Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
An ETA is not required to return to the UK/Ireland if you are from UK/Ireland
Who can get an ETA
Whether you can get an ETA depends on:
- the date you travel
- your nationality as shown on your passport
Check if you can apply for an ETA.
Who does not need an ETA
You do not need an ETA if:
- you have a visa
- you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)
- you are transiting through a UK airport and you will not pass through border control - check with your airline if you are not sure
- you are a British or Irish citizen
- you are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport
- you live in Ireland and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
- you are a child travelling on the France-UK school trip travel information form
Dual citizens
If you are a dual citizen with British or Irish citizenship, you do not need an ETA. Prove your permission to travel using a:
- valid British passport
- valid Irish passport
- other valid passport containing a certificate of entitlement
What you can do with an ETA
You can:
- come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study
- come to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
- come to the UK for a permitted paid engagement
- transit through a UK airport if you will pass through border control - check with your airline if you are not sure
If you are coming to the UK for another reason, check if you need a visa instead.
An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. You still need to either:
- see a Border Force officer
- use an ePassport gate
You may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead if you have a criminal record or you were previously refused entry into the UK.
What you cannot do with an ETA
You cannot:
- stay in the UK for longer than 6 months
- do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you are doing a permitted paid engagement or event or work on the Creative Worker visa concession
- claim public funds (benefits)
- live in the UK through frequent or successive visits
- marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership - you need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa
How much it costs
It costs £10 to apply.
Everyone travelling needs to get an ETA, including babies and children. You can apply for other people.
You cannot get a refund after you apply.
Apply for an ETA
The fastest way to apply is using the UK ETA app.
You need:
- the passport you will travel with - not a photocopy or digital passport
- access to your emails
- a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
You will need to upload or take photos of the:
- passport
- face of the person applying
You do not need to enter your travel details.
If you cannot use the app
You can apply online.
If you are applying for someone else who is not with you, you should apply online.
How long it takes
You will usually get a decision within 3 working days. Most people get a much quicker decision.
Occasionally, it may take longer than 3 working days.
Group applications
Each person must apply separately.
You may get decisions at different times, even if you apply at the same time as others.
If you need to travel soon
You must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK. You can travel to the UK while waiting for a decision.
After you apply
You will get an email confirming you have got an ETA. It will be linked to the passport you applied with.
Your ETA lasts for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner.
You can travel to the UK as many times as you want while you have an ETA.
Get help
You can:
- read the guide to using the UK ETA app
- watch the ‘What is an ETA?’ video
- watch the ‘How to apply for an ETA’ video
Use the ETA webchat if you still need help.