Official GOV.UK Appendix ETA VerifiedMandatory Digital Travel Rules 2026
UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Guide & Eligibility Checker
Complete legal and practical guide to the £10 UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Verify whether your passport nationality requires a digital ETA or a full Standard Visitor Visa before traveling to the United Kingdom.
ETA Eligibility & Visa Requirement Checker (2026)
Key UK ETA Rules at a Glance
- 💰 Non-Refundable £10 Fee: Applied per person. Infants and children traveling must also have their own individual ETA.
- 📱 Digital Passport Linking: Your ETA is electronically linked to your passport number. If you get a new passport, your existing ETA becomes invalid and you must re-apply.
- ✈️ Carrier Verification: Airlines, Eurostar, and ferry operators check for an active ETA electronically before granting boarding passes.
- 🚫 No Right to Work: The ETA permits short business trips and meetings, but strictly prohibits taking up employment in the UK. See UK eVisa & Share Code Guide for work rights.
Step-by-Step UK ETA Application Process
1
Download UK ETA App
Download the official 'UK ETA' app from Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or apply online at GOV.UK.
2
Scan Passport & Face
Scan your passport chip using NFC on your smartphone and take a live face scan photo matching passport standards.
3
Pay £10 Fee & Submit
Answer suitability questions (criminal record, immigration history) and pay the £10 fee via Apple Pay or credit card.
4
Receive Digital Approval
Receive confirmation email within 3 working days. Your status is automatically linked to your passport number.
Frequently Asked Questions (UK ETA 2026)
The UK ETA is an electronic travel permission scheme introduced by the Home Office under Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation. It requires visa-exempt travelers (such as citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, EU, and GCC nations) to register their details prior to visiting the UK.
No. An approved ETA grants permission to travel to the UK and board your flight/train. Entry into the UK remains subject to inspection by a UK Border Force officer at the port of entry or ePassports gates.
If your ETA is refused (for example, due to past immigration violations or criminal history), you must apply for a full UK Standard Visitor Visa instead, which involves a formal embassy review and biometric submission.
Yes. All passengers transiting through UK airports (whether passing through border control landside or staying airside) require an approved ETA unless they hold a valid UK visa or citizenship.