How much does the UK ETA cost and how long does it last?

The UK ETA costs a small fixed fee paid during the online application, and is valid for two years of multiple visits (or until your passport expires). Each visit can be up to six months for tourism. Check gov.uk for the current fee, as it has been adjusted since launch.

How do I apply for a UK ETA?

Apply through the official UK ETA app or the gov.uk website. Scan your passport, upload a photo, answer a few questions, and pay the fee. Approval is usually fast — often within minutes — but allow up to three working days. The ETA links electronically to your passport, so there is nothing to print.

Does a UK ETA cover the EU or Ireland?

No. The UK is separate from the EU and Schengen Area since Brexit. A UK ETA covers only the UK. For the Schengen Area you will eventually need ETIAS (not yet in force). Ireland is not covered by the UK ETA, but US and many other visitors can enter Ireland visa-free.

UK ETA Requirements | Travel and Time

Visa rules change frequently — always verify before you book.

This guide was last reviewed in May 2026. Entry requirements, fees, and stay lengths can change at short notice. Confirm the current rules with the official government sources linked below before booking flights or travelling.

At a Glance: The United Kingdom (ETA)

Visa needed?: Not a visa — but a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is now required for visa-exempt visitors
Maximum stay: Up to 6 months per visit for tourism
Cost: A small fixed fee, paid during the online application
Validity: 2 years of multiple visits (or until passport expiry)
Processing time: Usually granted quickly — often within minutes to 3 working days

The United Kingdom has rolled out an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) — a US-ESTA-style system that visa-exempt visitors must now obtain before travelling to England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. It is not a visa, but it is mandatory for those who need it.

This guide explains who needs a UK ETA, how to apply, what it costs, how long it lasts, and how post-Brexit travel works between the UK and the EU.

What Is the UK ETA?

The UK ETA is a digital travel authorisation linked to your passport. It is required for nationalities that do not need a full visa for short visits — including US, Canadian, Australian, and (since 2025) EU citizens. It permits tourism, visiting family and friends, short business trips, and stays of up to six months.

It is not a visa and does not guarantee entry — a border officer still makes the final decision — but without an approved ETA, airlines will not let you board.

Who Needs a UK ETA?

The ETA requirement was phased in by nationality. As of 2026 it applies to most visa-exempt visitors, including:

US, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand citizens
EU and EEA citizens (phased in during 2025)
Most other nationalities who do not require a full UK visa for short stays
It does NOT apply to British and Irish citizens, or to people who already hold a UK visa.
Irish citizens do not need an ETA, and the Common Travel Area arrangements with Ireland continue.

How to Apply

Apply through the official UK ETA app or the gov.uk website only
Scan your passport and upload a photo through the app
Answer a short set of questions and pay the fee
Most applications are approved quickly — often within minutes, but allow up to three working days
The ETA is linked electronically to your passport — there is no document to print

Travel insurance is often required

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Post-Brexit Travel: UK and EU Are Separate

Since Brexit, the UK is outside the EU and the Schengen Area, so the two have entirely separate entry systems. If your trip includes both, you handle each separately: a UK ETA for the UK, and (once it launches) ETIAS for the Schengen Area.

For British citizens travelling the other way, visits to the Schengen Area are limited to the 90-days-in-180 rule, the same as other visa-exempt nationalities. EU citizens visiting the UK now need a UK ETA.

Official Sources

Always confirm the latest requirements directly with the official government website before travelling:

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are a visa-exempt visitor — including US, Canadian, Australian, and (since 2025) EU citizens — yes, you now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK for tourism or short visits. British and Irish citizens, and existing UK visa holders, do not need one.