Quick answer: most people get a UK ETA decision by email within a day. GOV.UK says it can take up to 3 working days, so apply at least 3 working days before you travel. A UK ETA costs £20, lasts 2 years (or until your passport expires) and lets you visit the UK for up to 6 months at a time.
This guide covers how long a UK ETA takes, when to apply, who needs one (including EU citizens), how to apply and what to do if something goes wrong. We checked it against GOV.UK on 19 September 2026.
UK ETA at a glance
Processing time | Usually within a day, up to 3 working days |
Cost | £20 per person, not refundable |
Valid for | 2 years, or until your passport expires if that's sooner |
Each visit | Up to 6 months |
Number of trips | As many as you like while it's valid |
Who needs one | Most visitors from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada and certain other countries |
Where to apply | The UK ETA app or GOV.UK, or let MyVisitVisa check and submit it for you |
How long does a UK ETA take in 2026?
According to GOV.UK, you'll usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days. The email contains your 16-digit ETA reference number.
Why some take longer: most applications are checked automatically. Some need a closer look, for example if your details don't match your passport or you have a criminal record or immigration history.
Family applications: if you apply for several people, their decisions can arrive at different times.
No decision after 3 working days? Check your spam or junk folder first. Then contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) using its ETA webchat. UKVI can't help with ETA questions over the phone.
Nobody can speed it up. GOV.UK says you can't get a faster decision by applying through another website or app. That includes us. What a checking service can do is help you get it right the first time.
Don't travel until you have the approval email. GOV.UK says you must wait for the email confirming your ETA before you travel to the UK.
When should you apply for a UK ETA?
At least 3 working days before you travel. Count working days, not calendar days, so allow extra time over weekends and public holidays.
Earlier if you can. An ETA lasts 2 years, so there's no need to wait until the week of your trip.
New passport, new ETA. Your ETA is linked to the passport you applied with. If your passport expires or changes, you need to apply for a new ETA.
Who needs a UK ETA?
GOV.UK says you usually need an ETA rather than a visa if you're from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries. Every traveller needs their own ETA, including babies and children. You can apply for other people.
Not sure about your passport? Use the GOV.UK "Check if you need a UK visa" tool, or choose your passport on our .
UK ETA for EU and other European citizens
Citizens of EU countries (except Ireland), Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein can visit the UK without a visa, but they need a UK ETA for visits of up to 6 months. There are a few exceptions:
Irish citizens don't need an ETA.
EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status don't need one, and nor do people waiting for a decision on their EU Settlement Scheme application.
If you live in Ireland and you're travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, you don't need an ETA. If you're 16 or over, bring an original Irish document that proves you live there, such as an Irish Residence Permit or an Irish driving licence.
Dual citizens: if you're also a British or Irish citizen, you can't get an ETA. Travel on your British or Irish passport.
Who doesn't need a UK ETA?
According to GOV.UK, you don't need an ETA if:
you're a British or Irish citizen
you have a UK visa, or permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status)
you're transiting through a UK airport without passing through border control
you're travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport or a British National (Overseas) passport
you live in Ireland and you're travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
What you can and can't do with a UK ETA
You can:
visit the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, to see family and friends, on a business trip or for short-term study
transit through a UK airport if you pass through border control
You can't:
stay longer than 6 months
work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, apart from a permitted paid engagement
claim benefits
live in the UK through frequent or back-to-back visits
get married or register a civil partnership (you need a Marriage Visitor visa)
If you have a criminal record or you've been refused entry to the UK before, GOV.UK suggests you may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead.
Do you need an ETA to transit through the UK?
Airside transit (you don't pass through UK border control): no ETA needed.
Landside transit (you pass through border control, for example to change airports or collect your bags): you need an ETA.
If you're not sure which applies to your route, check with your airline.
How to apply for a UK ETA
Option 1: apply yourself on the UK ETA app or GOV.UK (£20)
You'll need:
the passport you'll travel with
an email address
a credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
a photo of your face (the app takes it for you; online, you upload one that meets the photo rules)
Steps:
Download the UK ETA app from the App Store or Google Play, or apply online on GOV.UK.
Scan or photograph your passport.
Take or upload a photo of your face.
Answer the questions, including about any criminal record.
Pay £20. You can't get a refund after you apply.
Wait for the email with your ETA reference number.
Applying for someone else: use the app if they're with you. If they're not, apply for them online.
Option 2: let MyVisitVisa check and submit it for you
MyVisitVisa is a private company, not the UK government. Our price includes the £20 government fee plus our service fee. We can't make the decision faster, because nobody can. Here's what we do instead:
We check every detail and photo against your passport before we submit. Typos and photos that don't meet the rules are common reasons for delays and rejections.
We apply for your whole family, even if they're not with you.
We keep you updated by email, and real people answer on WhatsApp 24/7.
If your ETA is refused, we refund our service fee. The £20 government fee isn't refundable.
See the price for your passport on our .
What can delay or stop your UK ETA?
Typos: a wrong name, passport number or date of birth. If you need to change the details on an application, you have to apply again.
The photo: if the photo of your face doesn't meet the rules, the application may be delayed or rejected.
Your history: a criminal record or past immigration problems can lead to extra checks or a refusal.
The wrong passport: your ETA only works with the passport you applied with.
What if your ETA is refused or still in progress?
Refused: you'll need to apply again, or apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead. The £20 fee isn't refunded.
Still in progress after 3 working days: check your spam folder, then contact UKVI using the ETA webchat. Don't travel until you have your approval email.
UK ETA FAQs
How long does a UK ETA take?
Usually within a day, but GOV.UK says it can take up to 3 working days. Apply at least 3 working days before you travel.
How much does a UK ETA cost in 2026?
£20 per person on GOV.UK or the UK ETA app, and it's not refundable. Services like ours charge a service fee on top.
Is MyVisitVisa the official UK ETA website?
No. The official ways to apply are GOV.UK and the UK ETA app, where it costs £20. MyVisitVisa is a private company that checks and submits your application for a service fee.
Do EU citizens need a UK ETA?
Yes. Citizens of EU countries (except Ireland), Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein need a UK ETA to visit, unless they have settled or pre-settled status or another exception applies.
Do children need a UK ETA?
Yes. Every traveller needs their own ETA, including babies and children.
How long is a UK ETA valid?
2 years, or until your passport expires if that's sooner. You can make as many trips as you like, each for up to 6 months.
Do I need a new ETA if I get a new passport?
Yes. Your ETA is linked to your passport, so a new passport needs a new ETA.
Can I work in the UK with an ETA?
No, apart from a permitted paid engagement. For work, you need a work visa.
Is a UK ETA a visa?
No. It's a digital permission to travel, linked to your passport. It doesn't guarantee entry, and a Border Force officer makes the final decision when you arrive.
Is the UK ETA the same as ETIAS?
No. ETIAS is the EU's travel authorisation for 30 European countries, and it isn't running yet. The UK isn't part of ETIAS, so you need a UK ETA for the UK.
Apply for your UK ETA
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