UK ETA Guide

The UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is a digital travel permit required for visa-exempt visitors to the United Kingdom. It was introduced in stages from 2025 and became mandatory for all eligible nationals on February 25, 2026. It is not a visa — it is a pre-travel screening similar to the US ESTA or the upcoming EU ETIAS.

The UK ETA costs £20 (approximately $25 USD / €23 EUR) and is valid for 2 years from the date of issue, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. It allows multiple entries to the UK during that period.

You can ONLY apply via the official UK ETA mobile app (available on iOS and Android). There is no website application option. The app requires NFC to scan your passport chip, so your phone must have NFC capability.

Yes. Since Brexit, EU and EEA citizens are no longer exempt from UK immigration requirements. All EU/EEA nationals (including French, German, Spanish, Italian, etc.) must obtain a UK ETA before travelling to the United Kingdom.

If you are visiting both the UK and the Schengen Area (most of continental Europe), yes — you need both. They are separate systems run by different authorities. The UK ETA covers England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. ETIAS covers the 30 Schengen countries. Apply for each one separately.

If denied, you will be informed of the reason. Common rejection reasons include criminal history, previous immigration violations, or errors in the application. You can reapply or apply for a standard UK visa instead. A denial does not prevent you from applying for a full visa.

It depends. If you are passing through UK border control (e.g., leaving the airport or connecting between terminals at Heathrow), you need a UK ETA. If you have an airside transit that does not require passing through immigration, you may not need one — but this only applies to certain nationalities and routes. Check GOV.UK for transit rules.