How to Apply for the U.K. Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

American and Canadian travelers heading to the U.K. now require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the country.

The U.K.’s introduction of its ETA is one of several major changes to travel rules in 2025. As of April 2, 2025, the ETA is required for Americans, Australians, Canadians, and Europeans crossing into the U.K., regardless of length of stay or reasons for travel. This includes airport transfers where one will pass through U.K. border control.

The ETA was introduced as part of an initiative to modernize the country’s immigration system and to enhance security at the border. Once approved, the ETA is valid for up to two years (for visits up to six months in length).

The application is quick and usually only takes up to three business days to be processed. The cost to apply is 16 pounds ($20 USD)—the fee went up from 10 pounds in April.

Who Needs the U.K. ETA to Travel?

All non-visa nationals traveling to or through the U.K. must apply for an ETA, including children and infants. This applies regardless of travel purpose; tourism, business, family visits, or short-term study all fall under the ETA.

The ETA, however, does not replace a visa. Activities such as working, living, or getting married in the U.K. still require a visa.

The ETA is not required for Irish or British citizens, nor for travelers who already have a visa to enter the country. It also does not guarantee entry into the country.

Note: You should get an ETA to visit Northern Ireland because it is part of the U.K.; however, there are no hard borders in Ireland because of the Good Friday Agreement, so if you enter from the Republic of Ireland, you won’t go through border control.

How to Apply for the U.K. ETA

The U.K. government is strongly encouraging travelers to apply for the U.K. ETA via the new app, which can be downloaded on the Apple App store or Google Play.

Applying via the app is straightforward and only takes about 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the application will time out.

The process will require you to take a photo of yourself for face recognition, so make sure you are in a well-lit room when you start.

You’ll need your passport (the physical document, not an image or digital copy), access to your email, and a payment method (credit or debit card or Apple/Google Pay).

The first step is to verify your email address. After it’s been entered, the app sends a security code to your email, which is good for 10 minutes. Then, you enter a phone number.

The next step is to verify your passport information. First, you take a picture of your passport’s personal identification page using your phone’s camera. If your passport has a biometric chip (identified by the symbol at the bottom—see above), you will be asked to scan the passport using your smartphone.

If you’ve never used your smartphone’s NFC functions before, you’ll need to enter settings > connections > enable NFC and contactless payments.

The final step to identify your identity is to take a picture of yourself using the smartphone. If you are applying on behalf of someone else, you’ll need to be able to take their picture in order to apply via the app. Then, you just need to pay for the application to be processed, which can be done through Apple/Google Pay or by entering credit/debit card information.

If you cannot use the app, it is also possible to apply online. The steps are essentially the same, except you’ll need to upload images of your passport and your face, and enter all information manually.

After You Apply for the ETA

Once you’ve submitted your application, you will get a confirmation email stating that the ETA is being processed.

The processing time is typically up to three business days, although it can take longer. In its information package for the Irish Adventure tour, CIE Tours recommends travelers apply at least one month before departure, just to be safe.

TMR‘s Sarah Milner applied for the ETA in March and received approval within minutes.

The ETA confirmation email will indicate how long it is valid for. Because the ETA is linked to your individual passport, you don’t need to print any supporting documents; however, if you need to replace your passport, you will need a new ETA.