What is the UK ETA and who needs one?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation is a digital permission to travel to the UK for people who do not need a visa and do not already hold UK immigration status. It is applied for before travel and is linked to the passport used in the application.
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How it works
The application is made online or in the official app, and the decision is returned digitally rather than as a stamp. Carriers check the authorisation before boarding, and the border still makes the final entry decision.
Commonly mixed up with
An ETA is not a visa and not a guarantee of entry: it is permission to travel, checked before departure.
What is the UK ETA and who needs one?
| Knowledge, London | Legal, visa and entry |
|---|---|
| Short answer | The Electronic Travel Authorisation is a digital permission to travel to the UK for people who do not need a visa and do not already hold UK immigration status. It is applied for before travel and is linked to the passport used in the application. |
| How it works | The application is made online or in the official app, and the decision is returned digitally rather than as a stamp. Carriers check the authorisation before boarding, and the border still makes the final entry decision. |
| Commonly mixed up with | An ETA is not a visa and not a guarantee of entry: it is permission to travel, checked before departure. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- Who is exempt?
- People with existing UK immigration status or visa requirements follow other routes.
- How long is it valid?
- GOV.UK publishes the validity period and the passport link.
- Do children need one?
- It applies per traveller, including children, where required.
- What if my passport changes?
- A new passport generally requires a new application.
- Where do I apply?
- Only through the official GOV.UK route or app.
Sources
More in this track
- Which UK work visa routes exist?
- What passport validity does the UK require?
- Can visitors use the NHS in London?
- How long can a visitor stay in the UK?
- How do family members join someone in the UK?
- What is the right to rent check in England?
- Can you drive in the UK on a foreign licence?
- What consumer rights apply when you buy in the UK?
- What happens at the UK border on arrival?
These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.
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