Help Center

Your complete guide to understanding and applying for the UK ETA

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UK ETA?

The UK ETA is an electronic travel authorization (ETA) that allows you to travel to or through the United Kingdom. You can compare the UK ETA to similar international schemes like the United States ESTA.

This electronic document allows you to visit England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for tourism, business, short‑term studies, transit (even if you are not passing through UK border control), and visiting friends and family. The ETA does not replace the UK Visitor Visa. The ETA also allows you to come to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession (extra requirements apply).

For the UK ETA: You can’t use the UK electronic travel authorization to live and/or work in the country (unless otherwise specified), or study for longer than 6 months. It’s important to note that travelers with dual nationality or multiple passports must enter the UK with the same document used during the registration process for the ETA.

The UK ETA is being implemented for different international visitors over time. Currently, all non‑visa nationals, including those from the European Union, must have an ETA. We will update this page regularly to reflect current eligibility.

Those who require a visa for the United Kingdom, British and Irish citizens, or those with permission to study, work, or live in the UK, don’t need the UK ETA to enter the country.

Every family member will need their own ETA, even children and babies. Parents or legal guardians can apply on their behalf. Simply apply as a family by clicking ‘add another person’ during the online process on our platform. Keep in mind that you may need to show parental consent and other documentation for minors traveling alone or with someone other than their legal guardians upon arrival in the United Kingdom.

Once you’ve got your ETA, you’re all set for multiple trips within 2 years. This also covers trips across the Ireland–Northern Ireland border, helping maintain the integrity of the Common Travel Area. Each stay can last up to 186 days per entry.

You only need the following few documents to apply with us:

  • Copy of your valid passport. Make sure it’s valid for 6 months from the date of arrival in the United Kingdom.
  • Passport photo (or any other compatible portrait picture of yourself): Taken recently.

The ETA will be electronically linked to your passport. However, we recommend keeping an electronic and printed copy of the ETA confirmation on hand just in case. We will contact you if we need any more information about your application.

The government fee for the United Kingdom ETA is £16 (approximately USD $22).

When applying through us, a service fee is also charged in addition to the government fee. Our standard service fee is USD 98.00 or EUR 95.00 for regular processing. If you need your application expedited, we offer a priority rush service for USD 118.00 or EUR 116.00, which we strive to process within 3 hours (see Terms and Conditions for more details on when this applies).

You can choose from three processing options:

  • Standard: For travelers with more time before departure.

  • Priority Rush: A faster alternative for those needing quicker approval.

Note: The government fee remains fixed; our service fee varies based on processing speed. Begin your application to view the full total before checkout.

We’ve been helping travelers with visa and ETA applications for over 10 years. Our goal is to make the UK ETA process easy, quick, and stress-free. No confusing steps, no long forms — just clear help from start to finish.

Here’s why people choose us:

  • Simple process – Our application is shorter and easier to follow than the official one.

  • Fast support – You can reach our friendly support team 24/7 if you have any questions or need help.

  • Clear guidance – We explain everything in a way that’s easy to understand, even if English isn’t your first language.

  • Experienced team – With years of experience and thousands of successful applications, we know how to get it done right.

We charge a service fee for helping you, but many travelers find it’s worth it for the peace of mind and smooth experience.

Where can I learn more about the UK ETA and US ESTA?

In case you have any questions about the UK ETA or US ESTA or any other travel document, you can reach out to our customer support team at info@travelauthorize.com

The customer service phone number for the International Callers: +35722007135

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