UK ETA Requirement Explained

If you're going to the U.K. you'll need an ETA, which is an Electronic Travel Authorization.

The good news? It is genuinely not a big deal. In my experience, and based on everyone I know who has done it, this takes about 10 minutes from start to finish. But you still need to know about it, because showing up without one means you are not getting on that plane.

Here is everything you need to know.

What Is the UK ETA?

The UK ETA is a digital travel authorization required for most visitors who do not need a full visa to enter the United Kingdom. It is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers multiple trips to the UK. Each stay can be up to six months at a time.

It is not a visa. But it is mandatory, and without one, the airline, or any other carrier, including the Eurostar is legally required to deny you boarding.

The current cost is £20, and most applicants get an automatic decision within minutes through the UK ETA app. The UK government recommends applying at least three working days before you travel, just to account for any applications that require a manual review, but the vast majority sail through automatically.

Who Needs One?

US, Canadian, and most European passport holders must have an ETA to enter or transit through the UK without a valid visa.

British and Irish citizens are exempt, as are people who hold a valid UK visa, residency permit, or settled status. Dual British citizens also do not need one. Outside of those categories, if you are traveling to the UK without a visa, you almost certainly need an ETA.

The best way to confirm your specific situation is to check directly on the UK government's official ETA page, which is always the most current source.

How Long Does It Actually Take?

Here is my honest take: I have done this, and people close to me have done this, and none of us spent more than 10 minutes on the application. You open the UK ETA app, enter your passport details, answer a short set of background questions, upload a photo, pay the £20 fee, and you are done. The approval came back almost immediately.

The app accepts payment via credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. So you do not even need to dig out a credit card if your phone is set up with a digital wallet.

The only scenario where it takes longer is if your application gets flagged for a manual review. In those cases, you will hear back within three working days. That is rare, but it is the reason the UK government says to apply at least three days before your trip.

Apply early. Not because it is complicated, but because there is no reason to leave it to the last minute when it takes so little time.

One more important note: if you renew your passport or get a new one for any reason, your existing ETA is immediately void. You will need to apply again with your new passport number. Keep that in mind if you are renewing close to a planned trip.

What About Kids?

Every single person traveling needs their own ETA — including babies and children. There is no family option or grouped application. Each traveler gets their own.

The practical upside is that you can apply on behalf of someone else, which means you can submit applications for your whole family in one sitting. So if you are traveling with your kids, you are doing one round of applications — not dragging each child to the phone separately. You fill out the information for each person, pay the £20 per person, and get the approvals back individually.

For children under 18, the application also asks for contact information for someone with parental responsibility. That is a small extra step, but it does not add meaningful time to the process.

What If You Are Just Passing Through a UK Airport?

This is where things get a little nuanced, so pay attention.

The UK Home Office announced in January 2025 that travelers transiting airside, meaning they stay within the international departure area and never pass through UK border control, do not need an ETA. This applies at Heathrow and Manchester airports specifically.

So if you have a layover at Heathrow, you are staying in the terminal, your bags are checked straight through to your final destination, and you never go through passport control, you are technically exempt.

Airside transit is generally only possible at London Heathrow and Manchester. Most smaller UK airports do not have international transit areas, which means all passengers must pass through immigration. If your layover is at any other UK airport, you will need an ETA regardless.

What If You Are Coming from Paris or Europe via the Eurostar?

Yes, you need an ETA for the Eurostar. The UK uses what are called juxtaposed border controls, UK immigration checks happen at the departure station, not when you arrive in London. So if you are boarding the Eurostar in Paris at Gare du Nord or in Brussels, you will clear UK border control before you even get on the train.

There is also no transit exemption for Eurostar passengers. Even if you are passing through the UK to catch a connecting flight from a UK airport, you are still entering UK territory and you will need a valid ETA.

Eurostar will check your ETA status during check-in. Without one, you will not be allowed to board. Same rules, different mode of transport.

How to Apply for the UK ETA

Go directly through official channels only. The UK government app is called the UK ETA app and is available on both iOS and Android. You can also apply through the official GOV.UK website. Do not use third-party services that charge additional processing fees on top of the £20 — they add no value and are not endorsed by the UK government.

What you will need:

• A valid passport
• A recent photo of yourself
• Your passport details
• Contact and travel information
• A payment method for the £20 fee

Submit it, get your confirmation by email, and you are done. The ETA is electronically linked to your passport and you do not need to print anything or show a card at the border.

UK ETA Quick Reference Guide

• Cost: £20 per person
• Validity: Two years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner
• Processing time: Usually minutes; up to three working days for manual reviews
• Who needs it: Most non-British, non-Irish visitors who do not require a visa
• Children: Yes — each child needs their own ETA (you can apply on their behalf)
• Layovers at Heathrow or Manchester (airside only): Currently exempt, but just get the ETA anyway
• Layovers at other UK airports: ETA required
• Eurostar from Paris or Brussels: ETA required — no exceptions
• Where to apply: GOV.UK or the UK ETA app

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