United Kingdom
Electronic travel authorization for United Kingdom: documents, fees and steps
Tourism (short stay) · 83 nationalities · residence in 244 countries · ordinary passport
Stay of up to 181 days · Verified on 7 October 2026
VisaGuideline helps you prepare your application. The decision belongs to the country’s authority: check the official page before paying or applying.
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Documents requested
Original passport with which the traveller will travel to the United KingdomConditions and details
The ETA is linked to the passport used for the application: when travelling, it is sufficient to present that passport. If any data in the application must change, a new application must be made.Photo of the passport identity page (online) or photo and chip reading by the appConditions and details
Online, a photo of the passport is required. With the app, the identity page is photographed and then the biometric chip is read by NFC; if the reading fails, the app uses the data from the photo, which must be checked, otherwise the application may be delayed or rejected.- Photo of the face of the person applying for the ETAThe photo is taken or uploaded during the application and must comply with the digital photo rules; a non-compliant photo may delay or cause the application to be rejected.
- Email addressThe decision and the 16-digit ETA reference number arrive by email.
- Credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay to pay 20 GBPPayment is made at the time of application, online or in the app; no refund after submission.
- Answers on address, employment and any other nationalitiesQuestions asked in the ETA application.
- Responses on criminal convictions, with the type of offence, the date and the sentenceThe application asks questions about criminal convictions, to be described as precisely as possible (type of offence, date of conviction, sentence imposed).
Official fees
- ETA fee, per person (non-refundable) 20 £
Steps
- Check, depending on nationality and purpose, that an ETA and not a visa is required.
- Check that no exemption applies (UK visa or permission to stay, residence in Ireland while coming from the common travel area, etc.).
- Check that the purpose is permitted with an ETA; with a criminal record or a previous refusal of entry, consider a standard visitor visa instead.
- Apply for the ETA on the “UK ETA” app (passport and face scan) or online (photo of passport and face), then pay 20 GBP.
- Wait for the decision email, generally within one day and up to 3 working days; do not travel before confirmation.
- Travel with the passport used for the application: no other proof of the ETA is necessary.
- At the border, present the passport; the officer generally asks the reason for the visit and grants or refuses entry.
Where to apply
- Official "UK ETA" app (Google Play and App Store), for yourself or for a person present.
- Official online form "Apply for an ETA", accessible from the GOV.UK page ("Start now" button); mandatory for a person who is absent.
- Online verification of the ETA (existence and expiry date).
- Online discussion (webchat) for questions about the ETA; UKVI does not answer ETA questions by telephone.
Good to know
- Sites imitating the official serviceOther sites may charge more; avoid sites that imitate public services.
- Period of validityThe ETA is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires if that occurs earlier, for as many trips as desired, with each entry as a visitor being for no more than 6 months.
- The ETA does not guarantee entryThe holder of an ETA must obtain permission to enter on arrival. A refusal of an ETA is not a refusal of entry: in that case, a visa must be applied for in order to come.
Grounds for refusalConditions and details
The ETA is refused in particular in the event of a sentence of 12 months or more of imprisonment (immediate or suspended), a conviction dating from less than 12 months ago, false declarations, past offences under immigration legislation or a previous refusal as a visitor.- Each traveller has their own ETAEach person in the group or family needs an ETA, including babies and children; applications can be made for other people.
What the ETA does not permitConditions and details
No stay of more than 6 months, no work (except authorised paid engagement or the "Creative Worker" concession), no public funds, no residence through successive visits, no marriage or civil partnership (visitor visa for marriage).Error or changeConditions and details
If the application is rejected or if data needs to be changed, a new application must be made; no refund. If there is no decision after 3 working days, check the spam/junk mail before contacting UKVI.British or Irish dual nationalityConditions and details
A person who also has British or Irish nationality cannot obtain an ETA; they prove their citizenship with a valid British or Irish passport, or another passport with a certificate of right of abode ("right of abode").- Criminal record or prior entry refusalIn these cases, the government suggests applying for a standard visitor visa even if it is not mandatory.
Nationalities covered
This procedure applies to 83 nationalities.
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Belize
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
Official links
- Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: Apply for an ETA - GOV.UK (new tab) www.gov.uk
- Using the 'UK ETA' app - GOV.UK (new tab) www.gov.uk
- Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: Overview - GOV.UK (new tab) www.gov.uk
- Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation - Guidance - GOV.UK (new tab) www.gov.uk
- Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: What you can and cannot do with an ETA - GOV.UK (new tab) www.gov.uk
- Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: When you do not need an ETA - GOV.UK (new tab) www.gov.uk
- Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor: Overview - GOV.UK (new tab) www.gov.uk
- GOV.UK — Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor: Visa national list and Appendix ETA National List (updates of 3.8.2026)GOV.UK — Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor: Visa national list et Appendix ETA National List (mises à jour du 3.8.2026) (new tab) www.gov.uk
- Entering the UK: At border control - GOV.UK (new tab) www.gov.uk
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