UK ETA 2026: Who Needs It, Cost, Transit Rules & How to Apply

Published 14 July 2026 · verified July 2026

A UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is a digital permission to travel to the UK, and since 25 February 2026 airlines must check you have one before they let you board — no ETA, no boarding. It costs £20, covers visa-exempt visitors from the US, EU, Australia, Canada and around 84 other countries, and lasts two years. But if you are only connecting airside through Heathrow or Manchester, you generally do not need one at all. Here is exactly who needs a UK ETA in 2026, what it costs, and how transit works.

What is a UK ETA?

A UK ETA is an Electronic Travel Authorisation — a digital pre-travel permission linked to your passport, similar to the US ESTA. It is not a visa. It lets nationals of visa-exempt countries travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for stays of up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family, business, or short study. You apply online before you travel, and approval is tied to the passport you applied with.

Do you need a UK ETA? Who needs one

You need a UK ETA if you are a visa-exempt national visiting or passing through UK border control, and you don’t already have a UK visa or status.

UK ETA for US citizens

Yes — US citizens need a UK ETA to visit the UK, costing £20 and valid for two years.

If you hold a US passport and you’re travelling to the UK for holidays, visiting friends or family, business meetings or a short course, you need a UK ETA. There is no exemption for Americans as visitors. Apply online before you fly, link it to the passport you’ll travel on, and you’re covered for multiple trips over two years. The only time a US citizen can skip it is a true airside transit at Heathrow or Manchester (explained below) — and even then, confirm with your airline, because the exemption is under review.

UK ETA and transit: the airside exemption

You generally do not need a UK ETA for a genuine airside connection that never passes UK border control — available only at Heathrow and Manchester.

This is the part that matters most for connecting passengers. The rule turns on whether you cross UK border control:

To rely on the airside exemption you normally need a single or connected booking, bags checked through to your final destination, and no need to change to a terminal that forces you through immigration. If in doubt, plan the connection carefully — our Heathrow terminal transfer guide shows which moves stay airside, and the Layover Calculator helps you leave enough time.

How much does a UK ETA cost?

A UK ETA costs £20.

The fee rose to £20 on 8 April 2026 (it was £16 before that, and £10 at launch). You pay once when you apply, and the ETA then covers multiple trips for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first — so it works out to a small cost per visit if you travel to the UK regularly.

How to apply for a UK ETA

You apply through the official UK ETA app or on GOV.UK. You’ll need:

• The passport you’ll travel on (the ETA is linked to it digitally)
• A photo of yourself and of the passport
• A payment method for the £20 fee
• Answers to a few short eligibility questions

Most decisions come back within minutes, but GOV.UK advises allowing up to three working days, so don’t leave it to the airport. If you get a new passport, you must apply for a new ETA. Beware of copycat sites that charge extra — only apply through the official app or GOV.UK.

UK ETA vs visa: what’s the difference?

An ETA is a lightweight authorisation for people who don’t need a visa. If your nationality requires a Standard Visitor visa, an ETA does not apply to you — you apply for the visa instead. For visa-exempt nationals, the ETA replaces the old “just show up with your passport” arrangement with a quick online step before travel.

UK ETA vs ETIAS vs EES

These three are constantly confused because they all arrived around the same time — but they are completely separate systems for different destinations:

In short: the UK ETA is for the UK, while ETIAS and EES are for the EU/Schengen. If your trip includes both, you may need more than one. See our guides to ETIAS for UK travellers and EES delays in 2026.

What happens if you fly without a UK ETA?

Since 25 February 2026 you will be denied boarding if you need an ETA and don’t have one.

Airlines, ferry and train operators are now legally required to check for a valid ETA before boarding. If you’re required to have one and don’t, you won’t be allowed to travel — there is no way to buy it at the gate that guarantees boarding. Because approval can take up to three working days, apply well before you leave.

Worked example

A US traveller connecting New York → London Heathrow → Rome, all on one ticket with bags checked through: if you stay airside at Heathrow and never pass UK border control, you generally do not need a UK ETA — but you will eventually need EU entry (and ETIAS once it launches) for Rome. If instead you had to collect bags and re-check at Heathrow, you’d pass border control and would need the £20 ETA. When in doubt, apply for the ETA — it’s valid two years and removes the risk.

FAQs

Sources

Based on the UK Government’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) guidance on GOV.UK, including the £20 fee and eligibility, and Home Office guidance on airside transit and carrier checks (enforced 25 February 2026). Verified 14 July 2026 — rules and fees can change, so confirm on GOV.UK before you travel.