Clients, family, students, or tourists coming from the majority of overseas countries, including the EU, will require a pre purchased ETA to come to the UK from the 26th February 2026.
Below you will find a wealth of information and links, to help you navigate the new system, to discover who needs an ETA, and what to do if you have a non UK passport or dual nationality.
An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) lets you travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family or certain other reasons for up to 6 months.
An ETA costs £16. Apply for an ETA. Other websites may charge more to apply. Avoid websites that imitate government services. An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK.
Who needs an ETA
Most visitors travelling to the UK need an ETA or a visa. What you need depends on:
- your nationality
- why you’re coming to the UK
You usually need an ETA rather than a visa if you’re from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries.
Check if you need an ETA or visa to come to the UK.
There are some people who do not need an ETA, for example if you have:
- a British or Irish passport
- permission to live, work or study in the UK
If you’re travelling as a family or group
Each person travelling needs an ETA, including babies and children.
You can apply for other people.
2. When you do not need an ETA
You do not need an ETA to travel to the UK if:
- you’re a British or Irish citizen
- you have a UK visa
- you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)
- you’re transiting through a UK airport and you will not pass through border control - check with your airline if you are not sure
- you’re travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport
- you’re travelling with a British National (Overseas) passport
- you live in Ireland and you’re travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
- you’re a child travelling on the France-UK school trip travel information form
- you’re exempt from immigration control or do not need to get permission to enter
Dual citizens
If you’re a dual citizen with British or Irish citizenship, you cannot get an ETA. When you travel to the UK you’ll need to prove your citizenship using:
- a valid British passport
- a valid Irish passport
- another valid passport containing a certificate of entitlement
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