Entry Requirements · 2026
UK ETA Guide: Do US, Canadian & EU Citizens Need One?
Last Updated: September 2026
Since 25 February 2026, almost every visa-exempt visitor to the UK — including Americans, Canadians, Australians and all EU citizens — needs an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding. Here's exactly what it costs, how to apply, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
Quick Answer
US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and all EU/EEA citizens now need a UK ETA before travelling. It costs £20, is applied for online or via the official UK ETA app, is usually approved within minutes, and remains valid for two years (or until your passport expires) for multiple visits of up to six months each. Apply only through the official app or GOV.UK — never through a third-party website.
The Basics
What Is a UK ETA?
An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital permission to travel to the UK — it is not a visa, and it does not by itself guarantee entry. It confirms that the Home Office has checked your details in advance and cleared you to board a flight, ferry, train or other transport to the UK. A Border Force officer still makes the final decision on your entry when you arrive, though many eligible travellers can now use eGates.
The scheme is similar in concept to the United States' ESTA or Canada's eTA, and it launched in October 2023, rolling out in phases to different nationalities before becoming fully mandatory for all visa-exempt visitors on 25 February 2026.
Source: GOV.UK / Home Office ETA factsheet, April 2026.
Eligibility
Who Needs a UK ETA?
You need an ETA if you are a visa-exempt visitor — meaning you don't currently need a visa for a short UK visit — and you don't already hold UK immigration status. This covers a wide range of nationalities, including:
- The United States — US citizens have needed an ETA since 8 January 2025
- Canada — Canadian citizens have needed an ETA since 8 January 2025
- Australia and New Zealand
- All European Union and EEA member states — EU citizens have needed one since 2 April 2025
- Japan, South Korea, Singapore and most other visa-exempt nationalities
In total, around 85 nationalities require an ETA. Since 25 February 2026, this has applied without exception — eligible visitors without an approved ETA cannot board transport to the UK and cannot legally travel.
Source: GOV.UK / Home Office ETA factsheet, April 2026; GOV.UK news, November 2025.
Exemptions
Who Is Exempt From Needing an ETA?
- British and Irish citizens — including dual citizens, who should travel on a British or Irish passport (or a Certificate of Entitlement).
- Visa nationals — if you already need a visa to visit the UK, you apply for that visa as normal rather than an ETA; the two systems are separate.
- Holders of existing UK immigration status — including a valid UK visa, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
- Legal residents of Ireland from a normally visa-exempt nationality (such as US or EU citizens), when travelling within the Common Travel Area and able to show proof of Irish residency.
Source: GOV.UK / Home Office ETA factsheet, April 2026.
Pricing
How Much Does a UK ETA Cost?
The official UK government fee for an ETA is £20, payable only through the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK. This fee has risen twice since launch — from £10 to £16 in April 2025, and then to £20 in April 2026 — so it's worth checking the current rate on GOV.UK before you apply.
Watch Out for Third-Party Websites
A number of unofficial websites advertise UK ETA "processing services" and charge £40, £60 or more for the same authorisation. These sites add no speed and no better chance of approval — the Home Office decision timeline is identical whether you apply directly or through one of these agents. Always apply directly through the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK to avoid paying an unnecessary mark-up.
Source: GOV.UK / Home Office ETA factsheet, April 2026; ETA UK fee increase notice, April 2026.
Step by Step
How to Apply for a UK ETA
The easiest way to apply is through the official UK ETA app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, though you can also apply via GOV.UK. To apply, you'll need to:
- Download the UK ETA app or go to the official application page on GOV.UK.
- Provide your contact details and passport information.
- Upload a valid digital photo, meeting the same standards as UK passport photos.
- Answer a short set of suitability and criminality questions.
- Pay the £20 fee.
- Wait for your decision — most applicants are approved automatically within minutes.
Important: you must travel using the exact same passport you used when applying for your ETA, since the authorisation is digitally linked to that specific document.
Source: GOV.UK / Home Office ETA factsheet, April 2026; GOV.UK ETA guidance, September 2026.
Timing
How Long Does It Take to Get Approved?
Most applicants currently receive an automatic decision within minutes of applying through the UK ETA app. However, the Home Office recommends applying at least three working days before you travel, to allow time for the small number of applications that require further manual review. Many travel advisers suggest applying a week in advance for extra safety margin.
Practical advice: don't leave your ETA application until the day of travel. While most decisions are instant, applying a few days ahead gives you a safety margin if your application is one of the exceptions that needs closer review — and airlines are now required to check your ETA before boarding.
Source: GOV.UK / Home Office ETA factsheet, April 2026.
Duration
How Long Does a UK ETA Last?
Once approved, a UK ETA is valid for two years, or until your passport expires — whichever happens first. During that validity period, it permits multiple separate trips to the UK, with each individual stay allowed to last up to six months.
This means frequent visitors don't need to reapply before every trip — one approved ETA covers repeat visits within the two-year window, as long as you're travelling on the same passport you applied with. If you get a new passport, you'll need to apply for a new ETA.
Source: GOV.UK / Home Office ETA factsheet, April 2026.
Comparison
ETA vs a UK Visa: What's the Difference?
| ETA | Standard Visitor Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Visa-exempt nationalities (US, Canada, EU, Australia, etc.) | Visa nationalities, or ETA-refused applicants wanting to provide more context |
| Cost | £20 | £115 (standard) or more for longer validity |
| Validity | 2 years or passport expiry | Up to 10 years |
| Decision time | Often minutes; up to a few working days | Typically several weeks |
| Right of appeal if refused | No — but you can reapply or apply for a visa instead | Limited rights depending on circumstances |
If you're eligible for an ETA, you cannot choose to apply for a visa instead, and there's no benefit in doing so — the ETA route is faster and cheaper. If your ETA application is refused, or if you have circumstances you'd like to explain in more detail (such as a previous refusal or criminal record), applying for a Standard Visitor Visa instead gives you the opportunity to provide that context directly.
Source: Moving to the UK ETA Guide, April 2026; GOV.UK ETA guidance.
If Something Goes Wrong
What Happens If Your ETA Is Refused?
If your application is rejected (a technical or administrative issue), you'll be told the reason and can apply again. If your application is refused (a substantive decision against granting permission), you cannot appeal — instead, you would need to apply for a UK visa if you still wish to travel.
Common reasons an ETA application may not succeed include a criminal history, previous UK immigration violations, or information suggesting the stated purpose of the visit isn't accurate. The Home Office does not always provide detailed reasons for a refusal. If you have a criminal record or previous immigration refusals, it is strongly recommended to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa instead of an ETA, as a refusal could affect future applications.
Source: GOV.UK / Home Office ETA factsheet, April 2026; Mayer Brown ETA analysis, June 2026.
Connecting Flights
Do You Need an ETA Just to Transit Through the UK?
It depends on your route. Eligible visitors taking a connecting flight who pass through UK passport control need an ETA, even if they're not leaving the airport for a full visit. However, passengers transiting through Heathrow or Manchester airports who do not go through UK passport control do not currently need an ETA.
If you have a layover at a different UK airport, or your connection requires you to clear passport control, check your specific itinerary carefully — this is one of the most commonly misunderstood parts of the scheme. You can check with your airline if you are not sure.
Source: GOV.UK / Home Office ETA factsheet, April 2026; GOV.UK ETA overview.
Special Case
What About Dual British Citizens?
Dual citizens who hold British citizenship do not need an ETA and cannot apply for one — but they must travel to the UK using a valid British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement, not their other nationality's passport. This has been a significant change for some dual citizens who previously travelled on a non-British passport.
Since 25 February 2026, airlines are required to check for appropriate travel authorisation before boarding. If a dual national attempts to travel on their non-British passport without an ETA or a Certificate of Entitlement, the airline may refuse boarding. GOV.UK provides detailed guidance for this specific situation.
Source: GOV.UK / Home Office ETA factsheet, April 2026; DAC Beachcroft dual nationals analysis, February 2026.
Stay Safe
Avoiding Fraudulent ETA Websites
Because the ETA scheme is relatively new and involves a real government fee, it has attracted scam and lookalike websites that charge inflated prices or, in worse cases, attempt to steal personal and passport information.
- Only apply through the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK directly.
- Be wary of any site charging significantly more than the £20 government fee.
- If you believe you've been the victim of an immigration-related scam, you can report it directly through GOV.UK's official reporting tool.
- You can verify a valid ETA status at any time using the official "Check My ETA" service on GOV.UK.
Source: GOV.UK / Home Office ETA factsheet, April 2026.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. US citizens are visa-exempt for short UK visits but, since the ETA scheme became fully mandatory on 25 February 2026, they must hold an approved ETA before boarding any flight, ferry, train or other transport to the UK.
Yes. Canadian citizens have needed a UK ETA since 8 January 2025, and enforcement became fully mandatory for all eligible visitors on 25 February 2026.
Yes. All EU and EEA member states require an ETA for visa-exempt travel to the UK. EU citizens have needed one since 2 April 2025, and the scheme is now fully enforced.
The official UK ETA fee is £20, payable only through the UK ETA app or GOV.UK. Third-party websites that charge £40, £60 or more for the same authorisation are add-on agents, not the government fee.
A UK ETA is valid for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During that time it allows multiple trips to the UK, each for a stay of up to six months.
Most applicants get an automatic decision within minutes when applying through the official UK ETA app. The Home Office recommends applying at least three working days before travel in case your application needs further review.
No. An ETA is a digital travel permission, not a visa. It confirms you are authorised to travel to the UK, but a Border Force officer still makes the final decision on your entry when you arrive.
Airlines and other carriers are required to check for a valid ETA before boarding. Without one, you may be denied boarding entirely and unable to travel. Since 25 February 2026, carriers can be fined for allowing passengers to travel without the correct authorisation.
Official Sources & Further Reading
Sources
- Home Office — Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet – April 2026
- GOV.UK — Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
- GOV.UK — Check My ETA status
- GOV.UK — Check if you need a UK visa
- GOV.UK — Guidance for dual citizens travelling to the UK
- GOV.UK — "No permission, no travel" – ETA enforcement announcement
This guide summarises official government information as published at the time of writing. ETA rules, fees and eligibility can change — always confirm current requirements directly on GOV.UK before booking or travelling.
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