Who Needs an ETA for UK? Rules for Every Traveller

Who needs ETA for UK entry?

The Electronic Travel Authorisation is required of travellers from countries that can visit the United Kingdom without a visa. That covers, for example, citizens of France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, the United States, Canada and Australia. It applies to tourists, family visitors, business travellers and people on short courses, for stays of up to 6 months.

Each person needs an individual authorisation, including children and babies, linked to the passport used for the trip. Airlines, ferry companies and rail operators check it before boarding. To see what it costs, read our page on the UK ETA cost.

Do I need an ETA for UK in these cases?

Here is who needs ETA for UK stays, situation by situation:

• Short holiday or weekend: yes, if you are from an eligible country and have no visa.
• Business meeting or conference: yes, for the permitted short-stay business activities.
• Visiting family: yes, unless you are a British or Irish citizen.
• Working or studying long term: an ETA is not enough, you need the matching visa.
• Stay of more than 6 months: you need a visa instead.

If you already hold a valid British visa or residence permit, you do not need to apply for an ETA as well. The UK government service Check if you need a UK visa tells you which document applies to you.

Who is exempt from the UK ETA?

• British citizens and Irish citizens, including those who also hold another nationality;
• people legally resident in Ireland who travel within the Common Travel Area, if they can prove it;
• holders of a valid UK visa or permission to enter or stay;
• passengers changing flights at Heathrow or Manchester who stay airside and do not pass through passport control.

That is who needs ETA for UK entry in practice: everyone else. If you cross the border, even for a few hours, the authorisation becomes necessary. Anyone unsure about their situation should check before booking a non-refundable ticket.

UK ETA dual nationals: which passport to use

UK ETA dual nationals who are British citizens do not apply for an ETA. They must, however, travel on a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement, not just on their second passport. Dual Irish citizens are also exempt.

For UK ETA dual nationals who hold two non-British passports, the rule is simple: the ETA is linked to one specific passport, so apply with the passport you will use to board, and keep travelling with that one.

How to apply once you know you need one

Now that you know who needs an ETA for UK entry, here is how to apply. Fill in the online form with your passport details, let our team check the file, pay by card and receive your authorisation by e-mail and SMS. Plan to apply at least three working days before travelling. The authorisation is valid for 2 years, or until your passport expires, with multiple entries.

If your application is rejected, you can apply again. If it is refused, you need to apply for a visa instead. For general rules, see gov.uk/eta.