Electronic Travel Authorization (UK/NI)

Electronic travel authorization (ETA)

The UK government has introduced electronic travel authorization (ETA) for visitors who pass through the UK and Northern Ireland border every year, including from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland.

A UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) costs £20 per applicant. This, digital payment is valid for two years, allowing multiple trips to the UK for up to 6 months per visit. It is required for visa-exempt nationals, including EU/EEA citizens, travelling for tourism, business, or study.

Once granted, ETAs are digitally linked to a traveler’s passport and allow for stays of up to 6 months at a time – including both short trips and more extended stays. An ETA is not a visa, it is a digital permission to travel.

All travelers to the UK and Northern Ireland – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission to travel in advance through an ETA.

What you can do with an ETA

You can:

• Come to the UK and Northern Ireland for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study

Apply for an ETA

The fastest way to apply is using the UK ETA app.

Download on the App Store

Download on Google Play

You need:

• The passport you will travel with – not a photocopy or digital passport
• Access to your emails
• A payment method – you can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Apple Pay or Google Pay

You will need to upload or take photos of the:

• Passport
• Face of the person applying

You do not need to enter your travel details.

If you cannot use the app

You can apply online.

If you are applying for someone else who is not with you, you should apply online.

How long it takes

You will usually get a decision within 3 working days. Most people get a much quicker decision.

Occasionally, it may take longer than 3 working days.

Group applications

Each person must apply separately.

You may get decisions at different times, even if you apply at the same time as others.

If you need to travel soon

You must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK and Northern Ireland. You can travel to the UK and Northern Ireland while waiting for a decision.

After you apply

You will get an email confirming you have got an ETA. It will be linked to the passport you applied with.

Your 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 an ETA.

Get help

You can:

• read the guide to using the UK ETA app
• watch the ‘What is an ETA?’ video
• watch the ‘How to apply for an ETA’ video

Use the ETA webchat if you still need help.

Full details:

Apply for an ETA – GOV.UK