UK eTA Information
Reference document covering the scope, eligibility, validity, and application of the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation. This guidance is provided for general information; applicants should consult the UK Home Office for authoritative interpretation.
Overview of the eTA
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is the United Kingdom's pre-travel screening scheme for nationals of visa-exempt countries. It was introduced by the UK Home Office to strengthen border security and to bring British entry policy in line with comparable schemes operated by Australia, Canada, the European Union, and the United States.
An eTA is not a visa. It does not grant the right to enter the United Kingdom; it grants permission to travel to the UK border, where final admission is determined by a Border Force officer at the port of entry.
The authorisation is digital, electronically linked to the holder's passport. No physical document is issued. Travellers receive an email confirmation following approval, which should be retained for reference but is not required to be presented at the border.
Validity & Permitted Use
| Validity Period | Two years from date of issue, or until passport expiry — whichever occurs first |
| Number of Entries | Unlimited during validity period |
| Maximum Stay per Entry | Six months |
| Modes of Travel | Air, sea (ferry), and rail (Eurostar) |
| Issuing Authority | UK Home Office, Border Force |
Permitted Activities
- Tourism and visits to family or friends
- Business meetings, conferences, and short-term work-related activities not constituting employment
- Transit through a UK airport en route to a third country
- Short courses of study not exceeding six months in duration
Activities Not Permitted
The eTA does not authorise paid employment, courses of study exceeding six months, the receipt of public funds, or permanent settlement in the United Kingdom. Travellers intending to undertake these activities must apply for the appropriate visa category before travel.
Eligible Nationalities
The Electronic Travel Authorisation is available to nationals of the following countries. Citizens of countries outside this list require a Standard Visitor Visa or another visa category rather than an eTA.
Exemptions: British and Irish citizens do not require an eTA or any other entry document beyond a valid passport. Holders of existing UK visas, residence permits, or settled status are also exempt for the duration of their existing permission.
Documents & Requirements
To complete an eTA application, the applicant must hold the following at the time of submission:
- A valid passport from one of the eligible nationalities listed in Section 3. The passport must have at least six months of validity remaining from the intended date of travel.
- A current email address capable of receiving electronic correspondence.
- A debit or credit card to pay the application fee.
- A recent digital photograph meeting Home Office specifications (taken within the past six months, neutral expression, plain background).
- Applicants under the age of 18 must be supported by an application submitted by a parent, legal guardian, or authorised representative.
Group applications are not currently supported; each traveller must submit an individual application.
Application Process
The standard process consists of three stages:
- Form completion. The applicant provides biographic details, passport information, contact information, and answers a short series of declarations.
- Verification and submission. Where the application is lodged through Service eVisa, a caseworker reviews the form for completeness and consistency before submitting it to the UK Home Office.
- Decision. The Home Office issues a decision within three working days of submission. Most decisions are reached within a few hours. The outcome is sent by email to the address provided in the application.
Tracking an Application
Applicants may check the status of a submitted application at any time using the reference number provided in the acknowledgement email. Status enquiries may also be directed to the Service eVisa support team.
Fees & Service Charges
| UK Home Office Fee | £20 GBP per applicant (non-refundable) |
| Service eVisa Standard Fee | From £69 GBP per applicant |
| Payment Methods Accepted | Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover |
| Currency | Pricing is in GBP; equivalent amounts in USD and EUR are shown at checkout |
Service eVisa fees include caseworker review, free corrections to any field prior to submission, multilingual support, and document recovery in the event of loss. Government fees are paid in full to the UK Home Office and are clearly itemised on the payment page.
Refusal & Appeals
The UK Home Office may refuse an eTA application if the applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria, has previously breached UK immigration rules, or has provided information that conflicts with records held by other authorities.
Where an application is refused, the Home Office will provide a written explanation by email. There is no formal right of appeal against an eTA refusal; however, the applicant may:
- Submit a new eTA application addressing the reasons for the previous refusal.
- Apply for a Standard Visitor Visa, which involves a more detailed assessment and a separate fee.
Where an application submitted through Service eVisa is refused, the service fee is refundable in full, provided the information supplied by the applicant was accurate. The government fee is non-refundable in all cases.