UK · ENTRY REQUIREMENTSUNITED KINGDOM · ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation
UK Travel Authorization Service. Mandatory entry document for travel to the United Kingdom for tourism, transit, or business trips.
Do I Need an eTA?
Three common situations. Find the one that matches your travel before continuing.
You are visiting for tourism, business, or transit
If you hold a passport from an eligible country and plan to stay up to six months, you require an Electronic Travel Authorisation. You are in the right place.
You plan to work, study long-term, or settle in the UK
An eTA does not authorise paid employment, courses longer than six months, or permanent settlement. You will require a Standard Visitor Visa or another visa category instead.
View visa routes on gov.uk →
You are a British or Irish citizen
You do not require an eTA or a visa to enter the United Kingdom. Travel with your passport or recognised national identity document as normal.
No action required
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 rather than an eTA.
An applicant is likely eligible if:
- ✓They hold a passport from one of the countries listed in the schedule above.
- ✓The purpose of travel is tourism, business, transit, or short-term study (under 6 months).
- ✓The intended length of stay does not exceed six consecutive months per visit.
- ✓They are not seeking to undertake paid employment in the United Kingdom.
An eTA is not required if:
- ✕The applicant holds British or Irish citizenship.
- ✕The applicant already holds a valid UK visa or settled status.
- ✕The applicant holds permission to live, work, or study in the UK.
Advantages of Applying Through Our Service
| Service | UK Government Portal | Service eVisa |
|---|---|---|
| Application accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year | | |
| No registration or user account required |  | |
| Application reviewed by caseworkers before submission | | |
| Free corrections to any field before submission | | |
| Multilingual customer assistance by email | | |
| Alerts for missing or inconsistent information | | |
| Encrypted submission and data handling | | |
| Document recovery in the event of loss | | |
| Service fee refunded in the event of refusal | | |
Travelling to the United Kingdom
The following information is provided for general guidance to nationals of eligible countries who intend to travel to the United Kingdom under the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme. It does not constitute legal advice. Applicants are advised to consult the UK Home Office for authoritative guidance.
Permitted Activities Under the eTA
The eTA authorises short visits to the United Kingdom for the following 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
Paid employment, long-term study, and permanent settlement are not permitted under an eTA. Travellers intending to undertake such activities must apply for the appropriate visa category before travel.
Documents Required on Arrival
Border officers at UK ports of entry may request supporting documentation in addition to a valid passport and eTA. Travellers are advised to carry the following:
- Evidence of accommodation arrangements (hotel booking, address of host, or similar).
- A return or onward travel ticket, where applicable.
- Evidence of sufficient funds to support the visit without recourse to public funds.
- Where the purpose of travel is business, an invitation letter from the host organisation.
Health Provisions for Visitors
The United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) provides healthcare to UK residents. Short-term visitors are generally liable for the cost of any treatment received and are strongly advised to hold comprehensive travel and medical insurance covering the full duration of their stay.
An Immigration Health Surcharge does not apply to eTA holders. Emergency treatment is provided to all persons in the UK irrespective of immigration status; however, subsequent care, including follow-up appointments and prescriptions, may be chargeable.
Customs and Prohibited Goods
Travellers are reminded that the United Kingdom enforces restrictions on the importation of certain goods, including but not limited to: meat and dairy products from outside the European Union, controlled drugs, offensive weapons, endangered animal and plant species, and counterfeit goods. Detailed customs allowances are published by HM Revenue & Customs.
Climatic Conditions
The United Kingdom has a temperate maritime climate. Weather conditions vary throughout the year and may differ significantly between regions:
- Spring (March–May): Mild temperatures, increasingly long daylight hours, and unsettled weather.
- Summer (June–August): Warm conditions with average daily maxima of 18°C to 23°C.
- Autumn (September–November): Cooling temperatures and shortening daylight; rainfall frequent.
- Winter (December–February): Cold, with occasional snowfall in northern and elevated areas.
Visitors are advised to consult the Met Office for current forecasts before travel.
Connectivity and Practical Matters
- The United Kingdom uses BS 1363 (Type G) electrical sockets supplying 230 volts at 50 Hz.
- Mobile network coverage is comprehensive in urban areas; rural coverage may be limited.
- The currency in use is the pound sterling (GBP, £). Card payments are widely accepted.
- Driving in the United Kingdom is on the left-hand side of the road.
VALIDITY
2 years, or until passport expiry
PERMITTED STAY
Up to 6 months per entry
MODES OF TRAVEL
Air, ferry, Eurostar
ISSUING AUTHORITY
UK Home Office, Border Force
- ›Valid passport from an eligible nationality
- ›A current email address
- ›A debit or credit card for payment
- ›Travel itinerary, where applicable
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is a digital pre-travel screening, not a visa. It permits short visits of up to six months for tourism, business, transit, or short-term study. Travellers who intend to work, study long-term, or settle in the United Kingdom require a Standard Visitor Visa or another visa category instead. Nationals of countries that are not on the eTA eligible list also require a visa, regardless of the length or purpose of the trip.
Service eVisa is an independent online platform that assists travellers with their eTA applications. We review each submission for errors, provide multilingual support, and handle the process on your behalf. Our service is separate from the UK Government and charges an additional processing fee for the assistance provided.
Most eTA applications are processed within 72 hours of submission. In some cases, additional checks may be required, which can extend the processing time. We recommend applying at least one week before your intended travel date to allow for any delays.
Yes. Our multilingual customer support team is available by email to answer questions about the application process, required documents, or the status of your submission. You can reach us through the contact page on our website.
If your eTA application is refused by the UK Home Office, our service fee is fully refunded. The government fee is non-refundable. We will notify you of the decision and provide guidance on alternative options, such as applying for a Standard Visitor Visa.
The official UK Government portal requires you to create an account and complete the application independently. Service eVisa offers additional support including application review by caseworkers, error correction before submission, multilingual assistance, and a refund policy in the event of refusal.
Yes. A UK eTA is valid for two years from the date of issue, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During that period, you may enter the United Kingdom multiple times for stays of up to six months per visit.
Need Help?Our caseworkers provide dedicated assistance for online visa applications. Their role is to simplify the process and help travellers obtain the necessary documentation with confidence.
Please note that Service eVisa is an independent, private agency. It is not connected to any government authority and does not provide legal advice. Travellers may also apply directly through the official UK Government website.