Traveling to the United Kingdom: Everything to Know About the ETA

Planning a trip to the United Kingdom? Whether you are dreaming of London’s iconic sights, afternoon tea in the Cotswolds, a Scottish Highlands escape, or visiting friends and family across the pond, there is one important item to take care of before you travel: your Electronic Travel Authorization, also known as an ETA. (https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply)

The ETA application is completed online or through the official UK ETA app. It is designed to be straightforward, but this is definitely not something to leave until the night before your flight.

Here is the simple, stress-free breakdown of what you need to know.

Start with the basics

An ETA costs £20 per applicant. You can apply either online or through the official UK ETA app.

A few important things to keep in mind right from the start:

• The £20 application fee is non-refundable once you apply.

• You cannot get a faster decision by applying through another website or app.

• Your ETA will be linked electronically to the passport you use in your application.

• When you travel, you only need to show that passport. You do not need to carry a separate ETA document.

This is one of those travel details that is easy to handle when you plan ahead, but potentially stressful when it is left to the last minute. My advice is always to build it into your trip checklist as soon as your travel plans are confirmed.

What you will need

Before you begin your application, gather a few essentials. Having everything ready before you start will make the process much smoother.

You will need:

• The passport you plan to travel to the UK with

• An email address

• A credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay

• A photo of the person applying’s face

If you choose to apply through the UK ETA app, you will use your phone’s camera to scan your passport and capture an image of your face. The app is available through Google Play and the App Store.

If you cannot download the app on your phone, do not worry. You can apply online instead.

For an online application, you will need:

• A photo of the passport

• A photo of the applicant’s face

The facial photo must meet the required rules for digital face photographs. If it does not meet those requirements, the application could be delayed or rejected.

So, while we all love a spontaneous travel moment, this is not the time for a blurry passport photo or a poorly lit selfie.

Applying for someone else

If you are coordinating travel for a spouse, family member, friend, or client, there are a couple of options for applying on someone else’s behalf.

You can apply for another person using the UK ETA app if they are with you. Since the app requires the phone’s camera to scan the person’s passport and face, they will need to be present during the process.

If the person you are applying for is not with you, you will need to submit their ETA application online.

For an online application on someone else’s behalf, you will need:

• A photo of their passport

• A photo of their face

This is particularly helpful to know for families traveling together. Each traveler needs their own ETA, and decisions may not all arrive at the same time, even when applications are submitted together.

How long approval takes

After submitting your ETA application, you will usually receive a decision by email within one day. However, the process can take up to three working days

That means you should not apply while you are packing your suitcase or sitting at the airport gate.

Once your application has been approved, the email will include your 16-digit ETA reference number. Most importantly, you must wait until you receive confirmation that you have an ETA before traveling to the UK.

If you have not received a decision after three working days:

• Check your spam or junk folder first.

• If it is not there, contact UK Visas and Immigration, also known as UKVI.

Even if you submit applications for several people at the same time, approval emails can arrive at different times. It is worth keeping an eye on every traveler’s inbox before departure day.

How long your ETA lasts

Once approved, an ETA lasts for two years or until the passport you used in your application expires, whichever comes first.

During that valid period, you can travel to the UK as many times as you want.

That is a nice bonus for travelers who know they will be returning, whether it is for another city break, a family visit, a business trip, or a longer UK itinerary.

You can check your ETA online to confirm:

• Whether you currently have an ETA

• When your ETA expires

The key detail to remember is that your ETA is connected to the specific passport used in the application. If that passport expires before the two-year ETA period ends, your ETA ends with it.

My best planning tip

The ETA process is fairly simple, but it is still an essential pre-travel step. The most important thing is giving yourself enough time.

My recommendation is to apply as soon as your UK trip is confirmed and you are traveling with the passport you intend to use. That way, you can receive your approval, confirm everything is in place, and move on to the much more fun parts of trip planning.

Think charming village hotels, theatre tickets, museum visits, restaurant reservations, and deciding whether your first stop in London should be for sightseeing or a proper cup of tea.

A little advance preparation goes a long way. When travel logistics are handled early, you are free to focus on the reason you are going in the first place: enjoying every wonderful moment of your UK adventure. As always feel free to reach out to me with any questions.