If you are flying into Heathrow from outside the UK, there is a relatively new entry requirement you need to know about before you travel. The UK introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in January 2025 for Americans, Canadians, Australians and other non-European nationals, extending it to European nationals in April 2025. Full enforcement began on 25 February 2026, meaning airlines are now legally required to check every passenger has one before allowing them to board. Without an ETA you will not be allowed to travel.
Does this affect you? Check your nationality below.
- Americans
- Canadians
- Australians
- New Zealanders
- EU nationals (French, German, Italian, Spanish and others)
- Swiss and Norwegian nationals
Not on this list? Check the full list of nationalities that need a UK ETA on the official government website.
British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA. Neither do people who already hold a UK visa or have settled status in the UK. Full list of exemptions below.
Watch out for scam websites
Before you do anything else, be aware of this. Searching for “UK ETA apply” will throw up dozens of third-party websites that will charge you significantly more than the official fee, claim to speed up the process or imply they have some official status. They do not.
There is no way to pay more to get a faster decision. There is no approved intermediary service. You cannot bypass the official process.
The only legitimate ways to apply are:
- The official UK ETA app (search for it on Google Play or the App Store, it is free to download)
- The official government website. Apply for a UK ETA on the official government website. It’s an excellent, easy to use website.
If you are on any other website, close it and go directly to one of those two. The current fee is £20 (From 8 April 2026). Anyone charging more is taking money for nothing.
What is a UK ETA?
An ETA is an electronic permission linked to your passport that allows you to travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family or certain business reasons for up to six months. You do not carry a physical document. It is attached to your passport digitally. When you check in for your flight, the airline checks whether you have one.
This is not a visa. It is a separate pre-travel requirement that many nationalities have not had to deal with before when visiting the UK.
This also applies if you are arriving by ferry, cruise ship or train through the Channel Tunnel. It is not just air travel.
Who does NOT need one?
- British and Irish citizens
- Anyone with a UK visa already
- Anyone with settled or pre-settled status in the UK
- Anyone with the right of abode in the UK
- People transiting through a UK airport without passing through border control
- British Overseas Territories citizens
- British National (Overseas) passport holders
- People living in Ireland travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
- Anyone waiting for a decision on an EU Settlement Scheme application
Not sure whether you need an ETA or a full visa? Use the UK government’s official checker before you apply for anything.
What about dual citizens?
If you hold dual citizenship and one of your nationalities is British or Irish, you cannot get an ETA and do not need one. Travel on your British or Irish passport. You may have British citizenship automatically if you were born in the UK or have a parent with British citizenship. Check if you have British citizenship on the government website before applying for an ETA.
What can you do with an ETA?
An ETA covers most common reasons for visiting the UK:
- Tourism and holidays for up to 6 months
- Visiting family or friends
- Short business trips
- Short-term study
- Transiting through a UK airport if you will pass through border control
- Certain creative worker activities for up to 3 months
What can you NOT do with an ETA?
- You cannot work in the UK, paid or unpaid, for a UK company or as self-employed
- You cannot stay longer than 6 months
- You cannot claim public funds or benefits
- You cannot live in the UK by making frequent or successive visits
- You cannot marry or register a civil partnership (a separate Marriage Visitor visa is required)
Does an ETA guarantee entry to the UK?
No. An ETA gives you permission to travel to the UK, but the final decision on whether you can enter is made by Border Force at the port of entry.
If you have a criminal record or have previously been refused entry to the UK, an ETA may not be the right route for you. In that situation you may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead, which involves a more detailed assessment of your circumstances. Check the official government visa checker or seek advice before applying.
How much does it cost?
Currently £20. There are no refunds once you have applied. Payment can be made by credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
How do you apply?
You can apply in two ways:
- Via the UK ETA app, available on Google Play and the App Store. You scan your passport and take a photo of your face using your phone camera.
- Online at Apply for a UK ETA on the official government website. You will need a photo of your passport and a photo of your face.
You will need your passport, an email address and a payment method.
You cannot get a faster decision by using a third-party website or app. Stick to the official one.
Applying for someone who is not with you
If you are applying on behalf of a family member or travel companion who is not present, you must apply online rather than through the app. You will need a photo of their passport and a photo of their face.
Every person travelling needs their own ETA, including babies and young children. You can apply for family members at the same time as your own application. Note that decisions may arrive at different times for different members of your group.
How long does it take?
Most applications are approved within a day. Allow up to three working days to be safe. You must not travel until you have received your confirmation email. Do not assume it has been approved just because you have applied.
Your confirmation email will contain a 16-digit ETA reference number. Keep this safe.
If you have not received a decision after three working days, check your spam or junk email folder before contacting UKVI.
How long does it last?
Two years from approval, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Once you have an ETA you can travel to the UK as many times as you like within that period. You do not need to apply again for each trip.
Your ETA is linked to the specific passport you used to apply. If you renew your passport before your ETA expires, you will need to apply for a new ETA on the new passport. You only need to show your passport when you travel, there is no separate ETA document to carry.
You can check whether you have an ETA and when it expires at check your ETA status.
Can you apply at the airport?
No. There is no facility to apply on arrival. If you turn up at your departure airport without an ETA, you will not be able to board your flight. Apply well in advance of your travel date.
A practical note for Heathrow arrivals
Heathrow processes more international passengers than any other UK airport. The ETA requirement applies regardless of which terminal you arrive at.
If you are booked on a connecting flight through Heathrow and you will pass through border control, you will need an ETA. If you are transiting airside without going through border control, you do not, but check with your airline if you are unsure.
If you are a UK resident staying at a Heathrow hotel before an outbound flight, the ETA does not apply to you. It is only required for people entering the UK from abroad.
Need help?
UK Visas and Immigration offer a webchat service for ETA questions. Chat to UKVI. Note that they cannot help with ETA enquiries over the phone, webchat only.
The UK government has published two short videos explaining the ETA process:
Sources
UK Government, Get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Information correct at time of publication. ETA requirements and fees are subject to change. Always check the official UK government website before travelling.