Check which permission applies
Use the official GOV.UK visa checker with your passport nationality, reason for travel and intended stay. Do not infer your status from residence in another country, an old trip or a travel forum. A visitor may need a Standard Visitor visa, an ETA, or neither of those in specific exempt circumstances.
As of this guide’s review date, an ETA is a digital permission for eligible visitors and is linked to the passport used in the application. It is not a guarantee of entry: border authorities still decide admission on arrival.
What to know about the UK ETA
The official ETA service states that eligible travellers can use it for tourism and other permitted short visits, generally up to six months. Each traveller needs their own authorisation, including children, and the application must use the same passport that will be presented for travel.
Apply through the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK service and allow time for a decision. Avoid unofficial websites that add large service charges or make approval claims. If you renew or replace your passport, check whether a new ETA is required because the permission is passport-linked.
- Match the passport number and personal details exactly.
- Check the decision email before travelling.
- Keep the application reference available even though the permission is digital.
- Recheck transit rules if you will pass through a UK border.
Documents and border questions
Carry a valid passport and be ready to explain the purpose and length of the visit. Border officers may ask about accommodation, onward or return travel and how the trip will be funded. Keep confirmations accessible offline in case airport connectivity is poor.
Visitor permission does not automatically allow paid work, long-term residence or every course of study. If your purpose goes beyond ordinary tourism, use the official visa checker and the relevant GOV.UK route before booking.
A 48-hour departure checklist
Confirm that the passport in your booking, ETA or visa is the passport in your hand. Review the airline’s document requirements, store your first accommodation address, and download your return or onward itinerary.
- Passport valid for the full trip and in good condition.
- Required visa or ETA approved, where applicable.
- Travel insurance documents and emergency contacts saved offline.
- Accommodation and onward travel details easy to retrieve.
Clear answers
Frequently asked questions
Does an ETA replace a UK visa?
No. An ETA is for eligible travellers who do not need a visa for the relevant visit. If the official checker says you need a visa, an ETA is not a substitute.
Can I apply through any ETA website?
Use the official UK ETA app or the GOV.UK application service. Third-party sites may charge extra and cannot guarantee a decision.
Do children need their own UK ETA?
The official guidance says each eligible traveller needs an ETA, including babies and children.
Verification
Official sources and editorial notes
Reviewed on Jul 27, 2026. Entry rules, transport schedules, prices and safety guidance can change; confirm time-sensitive details at the official source before travel.
