An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is advanced permission to travel to the UK.
An ETA is a requirement for non-visa nationals who wish to travel to the UK for up to 6 months. You can study in the UK on a course of six months or less with an ETA. If you are unsure if you need this, you can check if you need an ETA to come to the UK:
Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK
Obtaining an ETA is a necessary requirement for non-visa nationals, who choose to apply as Visitor on arrival to the UK. It not is not a requirement for those applying for Entry Clearance before travelling to the UK from overseas.
The ETA provides an individual with permission to travel to the UK and must be obtained in advance of travel. It is important to note that an ETA only provides permission to travel to the UK and is not a visa. Once you have successfully obtained an ETA, you will be required to apply to enter the UK as a Visitor on arrival in the UK at either the airport, or UK immigration control in France should you take the Eurostar.
Please note that an ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. If you have a criminal record or you were previously refused entry into the UK, we suggest you apply for Standard Visitor visa before travelling.
When travelling to the UK with an ETA, the following Visit Visa conditions apply:
You cannot:
- stay in the UK for longer than 6 months
- switch into another visa category while inside the UK
- do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you’re doing a permitted paid engagement or event or work on the Creative Worker visa concession
- claim public funds (benefits)
- live in the UK through frequent or successive visits
- marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership - you need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa
You do not need an ETA to travel to the UK if:
As of 25 February 2026, carriers will prevent eligible travellers from boarding if they do not have an ETA.
British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens, are exempt from needing an ETA but will be required to present either their valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement (COE) when travelling to the UK.
Applying for an ETA
Applying for an ETA is quick and simple and most applicants currently get an automatic decision within minutes when applying through the ETA app.
It is recommended that people apply for this at least 3 working days in advance of travel.
- In order to apply, you can either use the UK ETA app on your device or apply online.Applications are automated, electronically linked to you passport.
- You will be required to provide contact and passport details.Travellers must apply using the passport they intend to travel with as the ETA links digitally to that document.
- Upload a clear photo of yourself complying with the UKVI rules for digital photos on GOV.UK
- Answer a set of suitability and criminality questions
- Pay the application fee (currently £16 but due to increase to £20 from 08/04/26) and submit application
Further information on how to apply before coming to the UK can be found on GOV.UK
After you apply
You will get a decision email from UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) which will contain your 16 digit ETA reference number. This will be, as mentioned above, linked to the passport you applied with. You will need to show this passport when travelling to the UK.
Helpful links
Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: Overview - GOV.UK
Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK
Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: Apply for an ETA - GOV.UK
Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: When you do not need an ETA - GOV.UK