Electronic Travel Authorisation
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a mandatory digital permission required by UK Visas and Immigration for visa-exempt travellers entering the United Kingdom for short stays. The application is completed online; no in-person appointment is required.
Important Information
- Required for 85 visa-exempt nationalities, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union
- Required for all eligible travellers, including infants and children, and fully enforced at boarding since 25 February 2026
- Decisions usually issued within minutes to a day; UKVI advises allowing up to 3 working days
- An approved ETA is valid for 2 years or until passport expiration, whichever is sooner
- Each visit may last up to 6 months for permitted purposes
- Each traveler must hold their own ETA; a separate application is required for every passport
An ETA is required for all eligible travellers, including infants and children, and has been fully enforced at boarding since 25 February 2026.
Step 1
Complete Application
Provide passport details, contact information, and answer the UKVI eligibility questions.
Step 2
Document Verification
Submitted documents and information are checked for completeness and compliance with UKVI standards.
Step 3
Submission to UKVI
The application is filed directly with UK Visas and Immigration on the applicant's behalf.
Step 4
Receive Decision
The approved ETA is delivered to the applicant's email and digitally linked to the passport.
Required Information
The following documents and information are required to submit a UK ETA application. Each item is verified against UK Visas and Immigration submission standards before the application is filed.
- A valid passport from an eligible country, with sufficient validity for the duration of stay
- A recent digital photograph of the applicant's face, meeting biometric standards
- A clear scan or photograph of the passport biographic page
- Personal details including full name, date of birth, nationality, and contact information
- Responses to the standard UKVI eligibility and security screening questions
- An accessible email address for receipt of the UKVI approval decision
Who Must Apply for a UK ETA
A UK Electronic Travel Authorisation is required for citizens of the following countries when entering or transiting through the United Kingdom for stays of up to six months. Each traveler, including infants and children, must hold an individual approved ETA before boarding transport to the UK.
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kiribati
Kuwait
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Monaco
Nauru
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Norway
Oman
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Samoa
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Spain
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uruguay
Vatican City
British citizens, Irish citizens, holders of a valid UK visa, and individuals with existing permission to live, work, or study in the United Kingdom are exempt from the ETA requirement.
Travel Restrictions Under the UK ETA
An approved UK Electronic Travel Authorisation does not permit the following activities. Travellers intending to undertake any of these must apply for the appropriate UK visa category.
- Employment with a UK-based company, whether paid or unpaid
- Self-employed or freelance work conducted within the United Kingdom
- Access to public funds or government benefits
- Residency in the UK through repeated or extended visits
- Marriage or civil partnership registration
- Long-term study programs exceeding 6 months in duration
Resources
Guides, requirements, and answers for every step of the UK ETA process.
UK ETA Restrictions
GuidanceThe UK Electronic Travel Authorisation is designed for short visits by visa-exempt travellers. Before you apply, it helps to know who cannot use an ETA and what it does and does not allow.
UK ETA for Children and Families
GuidanceEvery traveller entering the United Kingdom, including infants and children, requires an individual Electronic Travel Authorisation. This guide explains how applications for families work.
How to Apply for a UK ETA
GuidanceThis guide describes the UK ETA application process, from gathering your documents to receiving the decision by email.
UK ETA vs UK Visa
GuidanceThis guide explains the difference between the UK ETA and a UK visa. Travellers from visa-exempt countries visiting for a short stay generally require an ETA rather than a visa.
Denied or Expired ETA
GuidanceIf your UK ETA application was not approved or your ETA has expired, this guide explains the difference between a rejected and a refused application and what to do next.
Frequently Asked Questions
For questions not covered below, contact support@onlinevisafiling.com.
What is a UK ETA and why is it required?
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation is a pre-screening system introduced by the UK Home Office to verify the eligibility of visa-exempt travellers before they board transport to the United Kingdom. It is mandatory for short-stay visits and forms part of the UK's digital border framework.
How long does the UK ETA application take to process?
Most applications receive a decision quickly, often within minutes to a day of being submitted to UK Visas and Immigration. UKVI advises allowing up to 3 working days for a decision, so we recommend applying at least 72 hours before your planned departure.
Does each traveller require an individual ETA?
Yes. The UK ETA is linked to an individual passport. Every traveller, including infants and children, must hold their own approved ETA before boarding transport to the United Kingdom.
What happens if my application is denied?
There are two outcomes. If the application is rejected because something in it needs correcting (for example a photo), you can fix the identified items and appeal at no extra cost, and the application is processed again. If the application is refused, the decision is final: a new ETA application cannot be filed for that traveller, and they may need to apply for a standard UK visitor visa instead. The decision rests with UK Visas and Immigration based on the information provided.
Is the UK ETA the same as a visa?
No. The UK ETA is a pre-travel authorisation, not a visa. It permits travel to the United Kingdom but does not guarantee entry; final admission is determined by UK Border Force officers at the port of entry. Travellers requiring extended stays or wishing to work, study long-term, or settle in the UK must apply for an appropriate visa category.
What happens if my passport is renewed during the ETA validity period?
A UK ETA is digitally linked to the passport on which it was issued. If a passport is renewed or replaced before the ETA expires, a new ETA must be obtained using the new passport details.