UK ETA: what it is and how to apply

What is the UK ETA?

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital permission that most visitors who don't need a visa must get before travelling to the UK, applied for online or through the official UK ETA app. It links to your passport, and you need a separate ETA if you change passports.

The fee and exact exemptions are set by the Home Office and reviewed periodically — check the current fee on the official gov.uk page before applying, since news reports in 2026 pointed to a fee increase without a universally confirmed effective date at the time of our check.

How do you apply?

The fastest route is the UK ETA app (available on the App Store and Google Play); you can also apply on gov.uk if you don't have a smartphone. Everyone travelling needs their own ETA, including children — decisions usually take up to three working days.