An electronic travel authorisation is not a visa. Whether you need one, a visa or neither depends on your nationality and the purpose of your journey.
Information checked against the sources listed below on 10 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change; this is general information, not advice on your case, and does not assess whether you qualify.
What the official guidance says.
- GOV.UK says an ETA allows tourists, family visitors and people travelling for certain other reasons to come to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to 6 months. It does not guarantee entry.
- GOV.UK gives the fee for an ETA as £20.
- Most visitors need either an ETA or a visa, depending on nationality. Nationals of Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada and certain other countries usually need an ETA rather than a visa. Use the GOV.UK visa checker.
- Holders of a British or Irish passport, and people with permission to live, work or study in the UK, do not need an ETA.
- Everyone travelling needs their own ETA, including babies and children, though you can apply on others’ behalf. Passengers transiting through border control at a UK airport also need one.
- Apply through GOV.UK. Other websites may charge more, and you should avoid sites that imitate government services.
What usually decides the outcome.
- Your nationality and the purpose of your journey, using the GOV.UK visa checker.
- Whether any previous refusal, overstay or criminal record could affect an application.
- Whether your activities in the UK are permitted under the visitor rules.
How we can help.
Depending on what you need, support can range from a first conversation to full representation. Ask for the scope of any work, and an explanation of our fees and separate government charges, in writing before you instruct the firm.
- Initial consultation and eligibility assessment. A conversation about your circumstances, the routes that may apply and the risks.
- Written advice and immigration planning. A considered view on your options and a plan that looks ahead to extensions, settlement or citizenship.
- Document and application checking. A review of an application or evidence you have prepared, before you submit it.
- Full application preparation and representation. Preparing and submitting the application, and dealing with the Home Office on your behalf.
- Responses to Home Office requests. Help answering requests for further information, interviews or evidence.
- Refusal analysis and next steps. Understanding why an application failed and whether to seek review, appeal, judicial review or make a fresh application.
Before you contact us
- Write a short summary of your circumstances and what you want to achieve.
- Note any decision dates, expiry dates or deadlines.
- Do not send passport numbers or sensitive documents in the first enquiry. We will explain how to share them securely.