UK ETA Requirements & Important Travel Information
Prepare for your journey with a clear understanding of the rules, documents and costs.
UK ETA overview
An ETA is a digital permission to travel, linked to a passport. It covers eligible travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man where applicable. It is not a visa and does not itself grant entry.
Who needs an ETA?
Travellers with a qualifying passport who do not already have UK immigration permission may need an ETA for permitted visits. The list below is a nationality check, not a complete assessment of your personal circumstances.
Who does not need an ETA?
British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA. Existing UK permission, including a visa or settled or pre-settled status, can remove the requirement. Other exemptions apply, including some lawful residents of Ireland travelling from within the Common Travel Area. Check the official exemption conditions and evidence requirements.
Dual British citizens should check the government’s passport guidance rather than applying as a foreign national.
Eligible nationalities
View the current configured nationality list
Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong SAR China, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao SAR China, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, New Zealand, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Bahamas, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States, Uruguay, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City
Taiwan passports must include the national identification number. Hong Kong and Macao eligibility refers to the relevant Special Administrative Region passports. Other passport categories need individual checking.
Documents and application requirements
You need the passport you will use to travel, an email address and a payment method. Our form also collects contact and home-address details and the background answers needed for review.
Passport requirements
Use a valid eligible passport and enter its details accurately. Upload the complete personal-details page, including all four corners, the photograph and machine-readable zone. Travel using the passport linked to your ETA.
Applicant photo requirements
Supply a clear, unaltered colour photo with a plain light background, your whole head visible and no other people or objects. Avoid glare, shadows and filters. Follow the applicable digital-photo requirements, including the rules for children.
UK ETA cost
JETZT BEANTRAGENUK ETA
- 99,9 % Genehmigungsquote
- Bearbeitungszeit: 0–48 Stunden
- Benötigte Zeit: 2–5 Min.
How to apply
- Check whether you need an ETA and whether your passport qualifies.
- Enter accurate personal, passport and background details.
- Upload the required documents and review your answers.
- Pay the disclosed total. Our team reviews and handles your request.
- Wait for the government’s decision before travelling.
Processing time and validity
Government decisions usually arrive within a day but can take up to three working days; some cases require additional checks. Our review happens before government processing begins. An ETA normally lasts two years or until the linked passport expires, whichever happens first.
Children and applying for someone else
Children and babies each need their own ETA when the requirement applies. You may apply for another person with appropriate authority. The online route can be used when they are not physically present. We request guardian contact details for applicants under 18.
Transit through the UK
Landside transit involves passing border control and can require an ETA or visa. Airside transit stays within the international transit area without passing border control; an ETA is generally not required under current arrangements. Confirm with your airline whether you must pass the border, including for baggage collection or terminal changes.
What you can do with an ETA
Eligible purposes include tourism, visiting friends or family, certain business activities and short-term study, normally for up to six months. Separate rules cover permitted paid engagements and the Creative Worker concession, which allows eligible stays of up to three months. Check the conditions of your activity.
What you cannot do with an ETA
An ETA does not allow you to live in the UK through frequent visits, claim public funds, or take ordinary paid or unpaid work for a UK company. Work exceptions are narrow. Marriage or civil-partnership plans may require a Marriage Visitor visa. Do not stay beyond the permission given at entry.
Criminal convictions and refusals
Answer background questions truthfully. A criminal record or previous refusal can affect suitability. GOV.UK advises that some travellers may wish to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead. Read the explanation in any refusal notice; another ETA application is not a guarantee of a different result.
Entry, passport changes and important warnings
Approval does not guarantee entry: border officials make that decision. A new or changed passport requires a new ETA. Do not book travel on the assumption of approval, and do not travel until you have the required permission.
Official sources
- GOV.UK ETA overview and exemptions
- Application, fee, processing and validity
- Permitted activities and restrictions
- Nationality list
Last reviewed: 2026-10-01. Official rules take precedence if they change.
Frequently asked questions
Was ist eine UK ETA?
Eine elektronische Reisegenehmigung erlaubt berechtigten Besuchern die Reise. Sie ist mit dem Reisepass verknüpft und kein Visum. Die Einreisebestimmungen gelten weiterhin.
Was kostet eine UK ETA?
The direct government fee is £20.00. VisaViza charges £90.00 in total: £20.00 for the government fee and £70.00 for our assistance.
Kann ich den Antrag direkt bei der britischen Regierung stellen?
Ja. Sie können den Antrag über GOV.UK stellen und nur die Behördengebühr zahlen. VisaViza ist ein optionaler, unabhängiger kommerzieller Unterstützungsdienst.
Wie lange dauert eine UK ETA?
Laut GOV.UK liegt die Entscheidung meist innerhalb eines Tages vor, kann aber bis zu drei Werktage dauern. Zusätzliche Prüfungen können länger dauern. Warten Sie vor der Reise auf die Bestätigung.
How long is a UK ETA valid?
Normally two years, or until the passport used to apply expires, whichever comes first. You may make multiple journeys during that period, subject to the rules for each visit.
Does a child need an ETA?
Every eligible traveller needs their own authorisation, including children and babies. We collect guardian details for applicants under 18.
Can I apply for someone else?
Yes, with their authority or the appropriate parental or guardian authority. The online government route allows applications for someone who is not physically with you.
Does an ETA guarantee entry?
No. Border officials decide whether you may enter. An ETA does not override immigration requirements or restrictions.
Do I need an ETA for airport transit?
If you pass through UK border control, ETA or visa requirements may apply. If you remain airside without border control, an ETA is generally not required under current arrangements. Confirm your transit route with your airline.
What happens if my passport expires or changes?
An ETA cannot be transferred to a new passport. You need a new ETA linked to the passport you will travel with.
Can VisaViza make the decision faster?
No. Our service helps with preparation, review and application handling. We cannot accelerate the government decision or guarantee approval.
Is a UK ETA a visa?
No. Although people sometimes search for a “UK ETA visa”, it is a travel authorisation for eligible travellers. If your trip requires a visa, an ETA is not a substitute.