Travellers planning a visit to England—even for a short stay—may need to obtain a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) in advance if they are from a nationality that does not require a visa for short stays. This digital authorisation allows UK authorities to verify the traveller’s identity and purpose of travel before boarding.
The ETA is not a visa. It grants permission to travel, but does not guarantee entry into the UK—the border control checks still apply.
Key information :
- Each person, including children or infants, must apply for their own ETA.
- The fee is £16.
- With a valid ETA, one may travel multiple times to the UK, for stays up to 6 months per visit, during a validity period of up to 2 years or until the applicant’s passport expires.
- Whether a traveller needs an ETA depends on their nationality; citizens of the UK or Ireland do not need one.
- If transiting through the UK, the ETA is required when passing through UK border (lands ide). In the case of airside transit (no UK passport control), an exemption currently applies.
- It is recommended to apply at least three working days before travel, to allow for any additional review.
To assist families, here is a YouTube tutorial from an external source (not affiliated with the association) explaining how to obtain the ETA via the official UK government app:
