New Entry Rules in the UK: Will They Let Me in with an Electronic Travel Authorization?

A UK ETA is a digital travel authorization, not a visa. It costs £16 ($21.5), is issued online, and electronically linked to your passport. ETA grants permission to travel to the UK for short visits (tourism, family visits, or similar purposes). Having an ETA does not guarantee entry – the final decision rests with UK border officers at arrival. 

The UK government states that one of the main objectives of the ETA scheme is to identify potential security risks by collecting biographic and biometric details in advance. 

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, said: “The ETA scheme is a vital part of our work to strengthen the UK’s border security, helping to deliver a more efficient and modern service that works for both visitors and the British public.”

ETA remains valid for two years, or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. During that period, you may make multiple visits, each lasting up to 6 months, without reapplying.

Under the new rules, any foreigner who previously entered the UK without a visa must now have an ETA. In other words, nationals of most visa‑waiver countries (Europe, North America, Australia, etc.) need an ETA to travel as visitors. 

British and Irish citizens are exempt, even dual nationals – they can enter on a valid UK or Irish passport without an ETA. Also exempt are people who already hold UK immigration status (permanent residents, work or student visa holders, etc.). 

Everyone else (adults and children alike) must have an ETA before boarding their transport to the UK.

Note that ETAs are also mandatory for visitors who travel to the UK to take connecting flights and go through passport control. Those transiting through Heathrow and Manchester airports who do not go through UK passport control do not currently need an ETA.

You apply for the ETA online, using the official UK government app or website. The process is simple and mostly automated. You should:

• Use the official channels: Download the free “UK ETA” mobile app (Android or iOS) or go to the UK government’s ETA webpage. Avoid unofficial third-party sites or services – they often charge higher fees or are scams.

• Pay the fee: The application fee is £16($21.5). Payable by credit card online.

• Enter your details: Provide your contact information and passport details exactly as they appear on your travel document.

• Upload a photo: Upload a recent passport-style photograph that meets UK digital photo rules.

• Answer questions: Complete the short questionnaire on background and suitability (e.g., criminal history, health, travel plans).

• One per person: Each traveler needs their own ETA. Apply separately for every person, including children and infants.

• Submit and wait: In most cases, you’ll receive an immediate decision. 

• Check status if needed: The UK also provides an online “Check your ETA” service on GOV.UK, if you want to confirm your ETA is approved before travel.

• Get help if needed: You can chat  to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) using webchat to get help with an ETA.

When traveling, carry the same passport you used in your application. Even though your ETA is digital, airlines will verify you have one, and border officers may ask to see your passport.

Yes. The easiest way to apply is via the UK’s official “ETA” smartphone app. The app (free on Google Play and the Apple App Store) guides you through the questions and payment. 

The Home Office reports that when you apply via the official app, most applications are approved within minutes. That means spur-of-the-moment travelers can often get an ETA very quickly. 

However, a small percentage of applications may need manual checks. For that reason, you should still apply at least 3 working days in advance of your trip to allow time for any additional processing. If your application is rejected (for example, due to missing information), you’ll be told the reason and can correct and reapply. 

Note that a refusal carries no appeal – you’d then need to apply for a UK visa if you still plan to travel.

There has been industry pushback against the cost of the ETA and its impact on the UK’s competitiveness as a destination. Travel trade associations (e.g., UKinbound) have argued that the combination of ETA fees, higher air passenger taxes, and other costs might deter visitors, eroding the UK’s attractiveness compared with competitor countries with cheaper or more generous travel authorisation systems.

Some regional tourism bodies, including those in Northern Ireland, have expressed concern that the ETA requirement could sufficiently reduce visitor numbers, particularly when travel patterns involve land borders (e.g., visitors flying to Ireland and crossing into Northern Ireland). Local officials feared that extra bureaucratic steps could discourage travel and impact tourism revenue.

Multiple countries, including Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea, have similar electronic pre-arrival authorizations. So, introducing an ETA aligns the UK with these new international norms. 

For example, the US ESTA is valid for 2 years, allows multiple visits up to 90 days each, and costs $40.

The European Union’s ETIAS (planned for late 2026) will also require visa-exempt travellers to apply for digital authorisation before entering the Schengen Area. It’s going to last 3 years and cost 20 euros ($23.6).