On this page · 9 sections
- Is there more than one type of UK ETA?
- Which situation are you in?
- Do I need an ETA if I only change planes in the UK?
- Does my nationality change which ETA I need?
- How long does an ETA last, and do I need one for each trip?
- What does a UK ETA cost and how long does it take?
- What do I need to apply for a UK ETA?
- What goes wrong without a required ETA?
- Why PassportsAndVisas.com for your UK ETA?
Key Takeaways
- A UK ETA is a single authorisation: the trip you take changes how you use it, not which one you apply for.
- PassportsAndVisas.com assists with processing UK ETAs, eVisas and travel visas globally, has done so since 1992, and checks your details before we submit.
- Your passport decides whether you need an ETA, a visa or neither, so a Canadian, an Australian and a European traveler can each get a different answer.
- A UK ETA is linked to your passport, so a new passport means checking your ETA again.
- More than 500K+ travelers have used PassportsAndVisas.com, and our visa checker is the quickest way to see your own answer.
Is there more than one type of UK ETA?
The UK has one ETA, and the reason for your trip does not change which one you apply for. What changes by traveler is whether your passport needs an ETA, a visa or nothing at all.
The UK has one ETA, and the reason for your trip does not change which one you apply for. Tourists, family visitors and business visitors all hold the same authorisation. Your passport decides your route.
Because the answer depends on your passport, our visa checker is the right starting point. It gives you the answer for your own nationality, whether you hold a U.S., Canadian, Australian, European or other passport.
Which situation are you in?
Your situation is decided by your passport and your route into the UK. The table shows what to ask for your trip.
| If… | Then… |
|---|---|
| You hold a passport that does not need a UK visa and you are visiting | You need a UK ETA. PassportsAndVisas.com prepares and submits it for you. |
| You hold a passport that needs a UK visa | You apply for a visa instead of an ETA. Our visa checker shows your route. |
| You are changing planes in the UK | Whether you need an ETA depends on whether you pass through UK border control. Ask Sarah about your route. |
| You are a British or Irish citizen, including a dual citizen | Your route depends on the passport you travel on. Ask Sarah for your case. |
| You already hold a UK visa or UK status | Your route depends on that visa or status. Ask Sarah for your case. |
| You travel for business, short study or a paid engagement | The purpose can change which rules apply. Ask Sarah before you apply. |
A traveler with any passport can find their own answer in our visa checker. We write nothing here for passports we have no verified answer for.
Do I need an ETA if I only change planes in the UK?
A layover can need an ETA when it takes you through UK border control. Whether yours does depends on your passport and route, so ask Sarah before you book.
A layover can need an ETA when it takes you through UK border control. Whether yours does depends on your passport and on how your airline routes you.
Ask Sarah or use the visa checker for the answer to your own trip.
The reader has a layover, dual nationality or an existing visa
Ask Sarah a question →Does my nationality change which ETA I need?
Your nationality does not change which ETA you apply for, because there is only one. It decides whether you need an ETA at all or a visa instead.
Your nationality does not change which ETA you apply for, because there is only one. It decides whether you need an ETA or a visa instead.
For a wider picture, read which countries require visas for U.S. citizens, or use the visa checker for your own passport.
How long does an ETA last, and do I need one for each trip?
A UK ETA is linked to your passport, so a new passport means checking your ETA again. The validity for your passport is shown when you start your application.
A UK ETA is linked to your passport, so a new passport means checking your ETA again.
The validity and length of stay for your passport are shown when you start your application in the visa checker.
What does a UK ETA cost and how long does it take?
Our UK ETA price includes the government fee, so nothing is paid separately. Our options and totals are shown when you start your application.
Our UK ETA price includes the government fee, so nothing is paid separately. Our speed options and totals are shown when you start your application in the visa checker.
What do I need to apply for a UK ETA?
You provide your passport details and the other items we ask for in your online application, and we check them before we submit.
You provide your passport details and the other items we ask for in your online application. We check each one before we submit, so a small mistake is caught early.
The full list for your passport appears when you start your application.
What goes wrong without a required ETA?
Travelling without a required ETA can mean an airline refuses to board you, so the ETA belongs on your list before you book.
| Cause | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Assuming a visa-free passport means no paperwork | Many travelers who do not need a visa still need an ETA before flying. | Check your passport in our visa checker before you book. |
| Forgetting a layover | A connection through UK border control can need an ETA. | Ask Sarah about your route before you travel. |
| Applying close to departure | A late application leaves no room if something needs fixing. | Apply as soon as your trip is booked. |
| Changing passports | An ETA is tied to the passport it was issued on. | Check your ETA whenever your passport changes. |
Why PassportsAndVisas.com for your UK ETA?
PassportsAndVisas.com prepares, checks and submits your UK ETA application for you, and our price includes the government fee.
- A registered passport expediter since 1992. We are a private company, not the U.S. government.
- 500K+ travelers served and 11,766 customer reviews.
- We check your details before we submit, so mistakes are caught early.
- Our price includes the government fee, with our speed options shown before you order.
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