Backpacking Diplomacy by Andy A blog dedicated to sharing world culture and travel tips.
Over the years, I’ve made a few visits to the United Kingdom. Since my last trip in 2024, the UK has instilled an electronic travel authorization (ETA). This is a requirement to enter the United Kingdom to visit cities like London, Edinburgh or Manchester, as well as the greater British isles such as Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man. I was caught off guard by this so I had to scramble to get mine completed. I ended up paying double price for it too and almost missed my flight with easyJet. This article explains an overview of the UK ETA, how to apply for it, and how you can fast track your application without worries to ensure a smooth process at the airport. Keep in mind that the ETA is not a visa, it is travel authorization.
TLDR
The TLDR of the UK ETA is:
- the ETA is a travel authorization not a visa;
- apply early, don’t do it last minute or else, you risk missing your flight;
- if you have a smartphone, then the app seems much faster than applying via their website;
- it’s going to cost you at least £20 (or roughly ~$28) as of 2026
What is the UK ETA and why does it exist?
The UK has established and added an electronic travel authorization better known by its acronym ETA. As travelers, it can be frustrating to have to fill out yet another piece of paperwork or digital form. Websites can be slow and annoying and typing on the phone can be frustrating as well. Annoying as it might be, the ETA exists now and probably won’t go away anytime soon. In fact, the European Union is in the process of establishing one as well.
It is important to remember that the UK ETA is not a visa, although it might seem like one. It may be referred to as the UK ETA visa or similar, but it is just a form of pre-authorization rather than a specified visa.
Money Grab
ETA are in some ways a money grab. Let’s face it £20 per person, multiplied by millions of visitors a year, is not nothing. In comparison, the US ESTA costs $21 and processes tens of millions of applications annually. The upcoming European Union’s ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) application will cost approximately €20 by the latest reports. An ETA application is not a guarantee and according to their website, emails and communications, there are no refunds. It’s hard to determine whether their revenue covers the cost(s) associated with the program but still it is not free.
Data collection
ETAs generate a structured record of who is planning to visit, when, and why. That information feeds into border intelligence and pattern analysis in ways that a simple passport stamp never could.
Pre-screening
The core argument is that ETAs let governments run checks on travelers before they board a plane, rather than only at the border. If someone is flagged as a security risk, it is far easier (and arguably cheaper) to deny an ETA than to deal with them on arrival, potentially requiring detention or a return flight at the airline’s expense.
Reciprocity
Another principal explanation for the existence of the new ETA in the UK is reciprocity. The UK ETA was introduced partly because many countries already require British citizens to obtain ETAs or similar authorizations before visiting. Governments use these schemes as a form of diplomatic leverage. For example, if your citizens need one to visit us, our citizens will need one to visit you.
Reducing pressure at the border
If most travelers are pre-cleared, border officers can focus their time on genuinely complex or flagged cases rather than processing everyone from scratch.
Do you actually need one?
Most people will actually need a UK ETA yes. If you are reading this, then you most likely do. The Government of the UK has created a wizard to determine if you actually do need one, you can access it here. That being said, their website says “You usually need an ETA rather than a visa if you’re from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries.”
How to apply for a UK ETA?
Disclaimer: This article is meant for informational purposes. Please ensure you check the latest information from the United Kingdom’s official website and any other updates to their border regulations and laws. Check out their whole guide to the ETA process.
As an applicant, you have basically two ways that you can apply for an ETA to the UK:
- via their website
- using their mobile application for your device
Website Application
To apply online, you can go to this page and start your process by clicking, the Start Now button.
Mobile Apps
The Government has released both an Android app in the Play Store and an iOS app in the App Store, therefore you can use either depending on your device. For the official guidance on using the app, check here.
The iOS app can be found here.
The Android app can be found here.
Is the application form multilingual?
No. As far as I can tell, the only language that the mobile applications or website is available in is English. That obviously makes sense since English is the official language of the UK, but it may be a limiting factor for visitors from countries with lower English proficiency. To navigate the form, you can use a browser based translation tool such as Brave Translate, which translates websites into over 100 languages.
What information do you need to apply?
To apply for an ETA you basically need two things:
- a passport
- an email address, that you can check
- the face of the person applying (in the mobile app you actually need to take a live picture of yourself)
- a digital picture could work but needs to follow the guidelines of the government’s platform
- you will also need a form of payment
- mobile apps can use Apple Pay or Google Pay
- the website can use both debit and credit cards
How long does it take and what to expect after applying
Interestingly enough, the application to approval process was basically instantaneous through the iOS mobile application. However, when I applied via the website I received my confirmation 2 days after I was already inside of the United Kingdom. Based on my one experience, it seems like the traditional method through the website is much slower than the mobile applications.
My experience in almost missing my flight
I applied via the website for my ETA the night before my flight. I received a payment confirmation immediately, but not approval. Upon arrival to the airport, I had already checked-in for my flight. I asked an attendant what I should do, they told me to proceed to my gate.
At the gate, I presented my boarding pass and I was asked to show my ETA approval ‘in green‘*. I showed the payment confirmation and they said it was unacceptable. The attendant told me that I had to go through the application process again. When I asked her about the money I already paid, she basically told me there was nothing she could do and to contact them directly. So, since there was very little time before my flight, I downloaded the mobile application.
I entered my information into the iOS mobile app, then submitted my payment via Apple Pay. I received a confirmation and ETA approval within about 2 minutes. Thus I was able to board my flight. However, I was among the last to board and there was limited time left which was stressful.
2 days after I had arrived to the UK I received another email regarding my initial first application through the website. It was a confirmation and approval. In the email, it clearly states, ‘no refunds’ so basically I paid twice for the ETA application, which is really frustrating.
* The green/amber/red system is how airlines and gate staff see your ETA status on their systems when they scan your passport or booking. Based on most sources, it works roughly like this:
Green — approved and cleared. You’re good to travel. This is what the gate attendant will ask you to show.
Amber — flagged for further review. This doesn’t necessarily mean refusal, but it means a Border Force officer will likely want to speak with you on arrival rather than you passing straight through e-gates.
Red — denied. You will not be permitted to board.
Tips and things to watch out for
As you prepare for your upcoming visit to the United Kingdom, here are a few suggestions for your trip:
- Do not use third-party websites to apply for your visa. Ensure that the only website which you use is the government website of the United Kingdom;
- apply for your ETA early (preferably before you book your flight);
- use the mobile application (either Android or iOS) if you would like a quicker response;
- double check all of your information in your application so there are no delays in processing your paperwork.
Share your experience!
The ETA process is still relatively new, and everyone’s experience seems to be a little different. Did your approval come through instantly, or were you left refreshing your inbox at the gate like I was? Drop a comment below — your experience could genuinely save someone else a stressful trip.
FAQ about the UK ETA
An ETA is a digital travel permission that lets eligible visitors travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man for up to 6 months. It is linked electronically to your passport — there is no physical document or stamp.
As of May 2026, it costs £20 to apply, either online or through the UK ETA app. You cannot get a refund after you apply. Be aware that other websites may charge more. Always avoid websites that imitate government services.
Most visitors need either an ETA or a visa to enter the UK. What you need depends on your nationality and the reason for your visit. You usually need an ETA rather than a visa if you are from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada, or certain other countries. You can check exactly what you need at gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
You do not need an ETA if you are a British or Irish citizen, if you have a UK visa, or if you have permission to live, work, or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode). You also don’t need one if you are traveling with a British Overseas Territories Citizens passport or a British National (Overseas) passport, or if you are transiting through a UK airport without passing through border control.
An ETA lasts for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner. You can travel to the UK as many times as you want while you have a valid ETA.
You can stay in the UK for up to 6 months per visit for purposes such as tourism, visiting family and friends, a business trip, or short-term study.
With an ETA you can visit for tourism, see family and friends, go on a business trip, undertake short-term study, come for a permitted paid engagement, travel on the Creative Worker visa concession for up to 3 months, or transit through a UK airport if you will pass through border control.
You cannot stay longer than 6 months, do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person (unless under a permitted paid engagement or the Creative Worker visa concession), claim public funds, live in the UK through frequent or successive visits, or marry or register a civil partnership.
No. An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man. A Border Force officer can still refuse entry at the border.
You can apply online or through the official UK ETA app, available on Google Play and the App Store. Ensure that you have the passport you plan to travel with, an email address, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay). You will also need to upload or take a photo of the face of the person applying.
Yes. You can apply for someone else’s ETA on the UK ETA app if they are with you. If the person is not with you, you must apply online on their behalf. You will need a photo of their passport and a photo of their face.
You will usually receive a decision by email within a day. Allow up to 3 working days (Monday to Friday), though it may arrive much sooner. You must wait until you receive a confirmation email before traveling to the UK. If you have not received a decision after 3 working days, check your spam or junk folder before contacting them.
Yes. Each person traveling needs their own ETA, including babies and children. You can apply on behalf of other people.
No. Your ETA is linked to the passport you applied with, so you only need to show your passport when you travel to the UK.
An ETA does not guarantee entry. If you have a criminal record or were previously refused entry to the UK, you may need to contact an attorney for legal advice or even the United Kingdom government for alternative.
If you are from a country that would normally require an ETA but you live in Ireland and are entering the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man, you do not need an ETA. If you are from a country that requires a visa, you will still need to apply for one.
If you are 16 or older, you must carry one original document issued by the Irish government that is valid at the time of travel — such as an Irish driving license, learner permit, medical card, GP visit card, European Health Insurance Card, Irish Residence Permit, Permanent Residence Certificate, National Age Card, or diplomatic identity card. If you are under 16, you do not need to bring proof of residence in Ireland.
The ETA is required to visit all cities in the United Kingdom. London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, Birmingham, Oxford, Cambridge, etc yes they all require an ETA application now. It doesn’t matter where you are flying into.
According to their website, “No information is stored on the phone or app after you close it. You can delete the app after you have completed your application.” Although it does certainly seem like a ‘big brother’ application, the Government of the United Kingdom suggests it is simply a more efficient method.
In theory, the only information shared should be what you submit.
