UK ETA Checklist — What You Need to Apply
A UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is not a visa and not a passport — it is a lightweight permission for visa-exempt visitors to the UK, and it costs £20. It covers tourism, visiting family and short stays of up to 6 months, and everyone needs their own — babies and children included. Work through the stages below and tick each line. Verified against gov.uk, September 2026 — see apply for an ETA for the authoritative word. If you need a visa instead, use our UK visa document checklist.
Stage A — Check you need an ETA (and not a visa)
- ☐ You are a national of a country that can travel to the UK without a visa — those travellers need an ETA, not a visa.
- ☐ You do not already hold a British or Irish passport, or an existing permission to live, work or study in the UK — if you do, you do not need an ETA.
- ☐ Your purpose fits: tourism, visiting family, and other permitted activities, with a stay of up to 6 months.
- ☐ Everyone needs their own ETA — babies and children included. You can apply on someone else's behalf.
- ☐ You are passing through the UK (landside transit — clearing the border before continuing your journey)? You also need an ETA; ask your airline if you are unsure.
- ☐ If instead you need a visa, stop here and use the UK visa checklist.
Stage B — Gather what you need
- ☐ The passport you will travel on — the ETA is tied to it.
- ☐ An email address — the decision comes by email.
- ☐ A credit or debit card, or Apple Pay / Google Pay, to pay the £20 fee.
- ☐ Your passport photo and a photo of your face if you apply online.
- ☐ ☐ A phone with the official UK ETA app (Google Play / App Store) if you prefer the app route.
Stage C — Apply (online or in the app)
- ☐ Use the official route only: start at the gov.uk ETA service. Other websites may charge more for the same thing — the fee itself is £20 online or in the app, and it is not refunded after you apply.
- ☐ Online: upload your passport photo and a photo of your face; the digital face photo must meet the official rules or the application can be delayed or refused.
- ☐ In the app: use your phone camera to scan the passport and your face.
- ☐ Applying for someone else? With the app you can do it if they are with you; if they are not, you must use the online route and have their passport photo and a photo of their face.
Stage D — Wait for the decision
- ☐ Most decisions arrive by email within 1 day, and no later than 3 working days.
- ☐ The email contains a 16-digit ETA reference number — keep it.
- ☐ Do not travel until you have the confirmation email. If it has not arrived within 3 working days, check your junk folder first.
Stage E — Know how long it lasts
- ☐ An ETA lasts 2 years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first — and allows multiple visits in that time.
- ☐ It is electronically linked to the passport you applied with; you only show the passport at the border.
- ☐ Refused, or need to change your details? You must make a new application.
Three things that trip people up
- Thinking a child or baby does not need one — every traveller needs their own ETA, including infants.
- Forgetting landside transit — passing through the UK and clearing the border also needs an ETA.
- Travelling before the email arrives — wait for the confirmation; the ETA is not valid until then.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a UK ETA cost?
£20, whether you apply online or in the UK ETA app. The fee is not refunded after you apply, so check your details before submitting.
How long does a UK ETA last?
Two years, or until the passport you applied with expires if that is sooner. Within that time you can visit the UK multiple times. If you get a new passport, the ETA is tied to the old one, so you apply again.
Do children and babies need an ETA?
Yes. Everyone travelling needs their own ETA, including babies and children. You can apply on their behalf.
Do I need an ETA if I am just transiting through the UK?
If you pass through the UK and clear the border (landside transit) before continuing your journey, you need an ETA. If you are unsure whether your journey is landside, ask your airline.
How long does it take to get a UK ETA?
Most applications are decided within 1 day by email, and no later than 3 working days. Do not travel until you have received the confirmation email.
What if I need a visa rather than an ETA?
They are different routes. If you are not visa-exempt, you need a visa — use our UK visa document checklist. If you are visa-exempt, the ETA applies. Passing through the UK and not visa-exempt? See the UK transit visa checklist.
Fees, decision times and validity were checked against gov.uk in September 2026; costs and rules change, so re-check the official ETA page before you apply. The official photo rules for permission applications are published separately on gov.uk. Related: UK visa documents, UK transit visa, and every country on the visa checklists hub.