Visa-exempt foreign travelers entering the United Kingdom are required to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure. European citizens, who were previously exempt from this formality, are concerned since 2 April 2025. I’ll tell you how to obtain your ETA.
Do I need an ETA, and what is it for?
The ETA is a pre-travel authorisation issued by the Home Office, a department of the British government responsible for homeland security in the United Kingdom. Most foreign nationals entering the country without a visa require this ETA.
The United Kingdom wants to screen out travelers who pose a security risk, even before they reach the borders. To achieve this, the authorities cross-reference the information gathered through the ETA application with data already in their possession. On this basis, authorisation to travel to the UK is granted or refused.
Citizens of all ages (including children and babies) of the United States, the European Union and several dozen other countries (Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Switzerland, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vatican) are required to apply for an ETA to travel to the UK, regardless of the reason for the journey or the means of transport used. Airlines, rail and sea operators ensure that each passenger has the required authorisation, and deny boarding if this is not the case.
However, ETA is not required for passengers transferring between two international flights at a UK airport (provided they do not need to cross the border). Another exception: minors enrolled in a French school travelling in a group of at least 5 children (but accompanying adults still require an ETA).
Cost and validity of the ETA
Applying for an ETA for the United Kingdom currently costs GBP 16 per person. Payment is made by credit card, the traveller’s or any other person’s. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB are accepted.
If the authorisation request is approved, the ETA issued is valid for 2 years, or until the expiry date of the linked passport, whichever comes first. It is possible to re-use an ETA as many times as desired throughout its period of validity.
If the ETA is refused, the costs incurred will not be refunded.
How to apply for an ETA
There are two official channels for applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for the United Kingdom:
- the UK ETA mobile app, downloadable from Google Play and App Store
- or the government website apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk.
It takes around 10 minutes to complete an ETA application.
The passport declared in the application must be the one that will be used for travel.
For people travelling together, a separate file must be submitted for each traveler.
As a general rule, the ETA is granted within a few minutes. However, the british administration reserves up to 3 working days (Monday to Friday) to give its answer. Note that you are allowed to travel to the UK while your application is being processed.
Apply via UK ETA mobile app
The UK ETA mobile app enables you to submit a travel authorisation request for yourself or for a third party.
Using the app requires:
- the physical presence of the traveller
- the traveler’s physical passport (not a photo or copy)
- a smartphone equipped with a camera.
If any of these conditions are not met, you must use the website.
The procedure must be completed in one go, and finalized in less than 30 minutes. In the event of an interruption (incoming call, app closure, missing information, payment refusal, technical problem, etc.) or expiry of the time limit, the data is lost and you have to restart from scratch. I recommend that you gather the necessary elements (traveler, passport, personal informations, payment card) and set your phone to “do not disturb” mode before you begin.
When you launch the application, you need to enter an e-mail address to which a security code will be sent. The code received must be entered in order to proceed. A cell phone number must then be entered.
The next step is to:
- specify whether the passport contains a microchip
- take a photo of the biographical information page of the passport
- read the contents of the passport’s microchip (if the phone is equipped with NFC technology)
- film the passport holder’s face
- take a selfie as an identity photo.
Once this phase has been successfully completed, further information is required:
- address of usual residence
- employment status (employed or unemployed, position held)
- any other nationalities held.
Two questions are also asked:
- Have you been convicted of a crime in any country in the world (for an act that would also be a crime in the UK)?
- Are you involved in or suspected of war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, terrorism, supporting extremist groups or expressing extremist views?
A summary page allows you to check and correct the information submitted before proceeding to payment. Identity details must correspond strictly to those on the passport.
Once payment has been made, an ETA number is immediately assigned and confirmation of registration of the application sent by e-mail.
The UK ETA app can be uninstalled; it is useless once the ETA application has been submitted.
Apply via website
The government website allows you to submit a travel authorisation application for yourself or for a third party. The traveller does not need to be physically present. Two documents are required: a photo from the biographical information page of the passport, and an identity photo less than 3 months old that must be different from the photo in the passport.
The process must be completed in one go, in less than 20 minutes. If you give up during the process, or if the time limit expires, your data will be lost and you’ll have to start all over again.
The procedure begins by entering an e-mail address to which a security code is sent. The code received must be entered in order to continue.
The next step is to submit the photo from the biographical page of the passport. The information is automatically extracted, and should be carefully checked, corrected if necessary and validated. The data must strictly correspond to what is mentioned in the passport.
It is then suggested to use the computer’s webcam to film the passport holder. This step can be skipped if no suitable equipment is available, or if the traveler is absent.
You are then asked to upload the identity photo.
Once these steps have been completed, additional information is required:
- address of usual residence
- employment status (employed or unemployed, position held)
- any other nationalities held.
Two questions are also asked:
- Have you been convicted of a crime in any country in the world (for an act that would also be a crime in the UK)?
- Are you involved in or suspected of war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, terrorism, supporting extremist groups or expressing extremist views?
A summary page allows you to check and correct the information submitted before proceeding to payment.
Once payment has been made, an ETA number is immediately assigned and confirmation of registration of the application sent by e-mail.
Authorities’ decision and right to travel
Carriers are required to systematically query the british authorities via an electronic platform before boarding a passenger bound for the United Kingdom.
Provided an ETA application has been made for the passport presented to the carrier, a boarding approval is returned. It is therefore perfectly possible and authorised to travel to the UK while awaiting a decision on the ETA application submitted.
When the ETA is formally approved by the Home Office, you will be informed by e-mail. There are no documents to print or present, as the authorisation is attached to the passport.
What should I do if the authorisation is refused?
If the electronic travel authorisation is rejected or refused by the authorities, travel to the United Kingdom is impossible, as carriers are obliged to prevent the passenger from boarding.
In the event of rejection, a new ETA application can be submitted, ensuring that errors which led to the rejection are corrected.
If the application is refused, you should contact a British consulate to apply for a visa to enter the country.
Correcting, updating or renewing an ETA
Generally speaking, an Electronic Travel Authorisation cannot be modified. In the event of an input error, a new application must be submitted. Fees already paid will not be refunded, and each request will be charged.
If you change your passport or if the current authorisation expires, you must apply for a new ETA.
Have you got your ETA to travel to the United Kingdom?
