Since 25 February 2026 the UK has fully enforced its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. If you are a visitor who does not need a visa for a short trip, you now need an ETA before you travel, and airlines, Eurostar and ferry companies will not let you board without one.
The good news is that for most people the ETA is quick to get. The bad news is that some travellers only discover the rule at the check-in desk. This guide explains who needs one, how to apply, and what to watch for if you are flying into Heathrow or Gatwick.
What Is a UK ETA?
An ETA is a digital permission to travel, linked to your passport. It is not a visa, and it does not guarantee entry: you still pass through UK border control on arrival. What it does is screen travellers in advance, so carriers can check you are allowed to travel before you board.
There is no stamp or document to print. Your ETA sits electronically against the passport you applied with, which is why you must travel on that same passport.
Who Needs One?
You need an ETA if you are coming to the UK for a short stay (up to six months for tourism, visiting family, business meetings or short study) and you do not need a visa. That includes travellers from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the European Union and many other countries.
- You do not need an ETA if you are a British or Irish citizen, or you already hold a UK visa or other UK immigration status.
- Dual British citizens should travel on their British passport (or a passport with a certificate of entitlement), not apply for an ETA on their other passport.
- Children and babies need their own ETA. A parent or guardian can apply on their behalf.
- If you need a visa to visit the UK, the ETA is not for you; apply for the right visa instead.
The quickest way to check is the official checker at GOV.UK: Check if you need a UK visa.
How to Apply
Apply through the official UK ETA app (iOS and Android) or the ETA pages on GOV.UK. You will need your passport, an email address, a payment card and a photo of your face taken in the app. You also answer a short set of questions about criminal convictions and previous immigration history.
Many applications are decided within minutes, but the government advises allowing three working days. Do not leave it until the night before a flight, particularly if you are travelling as a family and need several applications.
How Much Does It Cost and How Long Does It Last?
The fee is set by the Home Office and is £20 per person (it rose from £16 on 8 April 2026). Fees are reviewed from time to time, so check the current amount on GOV.UK when you apply. An ETA normally lets you visit multiple times for two years, or until the passport you used expires if that is sooner.
Changing Planes at Heathrow
If you are only connecting between flights at Heathrow (or Manchester) and you stay airside without passing through UK border control, you are currently exempt from needing an ETA under a temporary exemption. Two important exceptions:
- If you leave the airport during a layover, even for a few hours, you pass through the border and need an ETA.
- If you are connecting from an international flight to a UK domestic flight, you pass through UK border control and need an ETA.
- If you are changing airports, for example arriving at Heathrow and flying out of Gatwick, you must clear the border and need an ETA. Our Heathrow to Gatwick connection guide explains the timing.
Visa nationals may need a transit visa instead, so check your own situation on GOV.UK.
Common Mistakes
- Applying on the wrong passport. The ETA is tied to one passport. If you renew your passport, you need a new ETA.
- Forgetting the children. Every traveller needs their own ETA, whatever their age.
- Typos. A mistyped passport number can mean the airline cannot find your ETA at check-in.
- Assuming Eurostar is different. Arriving by train or ferry needs an ETA too.
After You Land
On arrival, depending on your nationality and age, you may be able to use the eGates at UK airports, which are usually the fastest route through the border. Our guide to landing at Heathrow walks through each step from the aircraft door to your car, and a pre-booked Heathrow airport transfer with Meet & Greet means your driver is waiting in arrivals when you come through.
Rules checked 14 November 2026. Immigration rules can change, so always confirm the current requirements on GOV.UK before you travel.