From 25 February 2026, the UK enforces a strict "no permission, no travel" policy. If you are from a visa-exempt country — including the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and all 27 EU states — you now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you board a flight or ferry to the UK. Here is everything you need to know.
What is a UK ETA?
An ETA is a digital entry permission linked to your passport. It is not a visa and does not guarantee entry into the UK — a Border Force officer still has discretion at the port of entry. But without an approved ETA, airlines and ferry operators will not let you board.
Who needs a UK ETA?
You need an ETA if you are a national of a visa-exempt country and you do not already hold UK immigration status (such as a visa, ILR, or eVisa). The ETA applies to visitors and transit passengers alike. British citizens, Irish citizens, and those with existing UK immigration permission do not need one.
- ✓United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
- ✓All 27 European Union member states
- ✓Japan, South Korea, Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia
- ✓Brazil, Argentina, Mexico
- ✓85 nationalities in total — check the full list on GOV.UK
How to apply for a UK ETA
The easiest way is through the UK ETA app (available on Apple App Store and Google Play). You can also apply on the GOV.UK website. The process takes 5–10 minutes.
- ✓Download the UK ETA app or go to gov.uk/eta
- ✓Enter your passport details and take a photo
- ✓Answer short questions about criminal history and travel purpose
- ✓Pay £20 by card
- ✓Most applicants receive an automated decision within minutes
- ✓Apply at least 3 working days before travel — some cases require manual review
💡 Tip
Always use the same passport when you travel that you used to apply. If you renew your passport, you must apply for a new ETA.
Cost and validity
- ✓Cost: £20 per application (non-refundable)
- ✓Validity: 2 years from approval, or until your passport expires — whichever is sooner
- ✓Multiple trips: you can enter the UK as many times as you like during the 2-year validity
- ✓Stay length: each visit is still limited to 6 months (or 3 months from certain countries)
What an ETA does NOT allow
An ETA is only for short visits. You cannot use it to work, study for more than 6 months, or live in the UK. If you want to work or live in the UK, you need a full visa — see the Visa Finder tool to find the right route.
What if my application is refused?
ETA refusals are relatively rare for visa-exempt nationals. Common reasons include a serious criminal conviction or a previous overstay in the UK. There is no formal appeal process, but you can reapply and provide more information. In some cases, you may need to apply for a standard visitor visa instead.
Apply for your UK ETA on the official GOV.UK website — takes 5 minutes
Apply for UK ETA →