Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK

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Overview

An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) lets you travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family or certain other reasons for up to 6 months.

An ETA costs 拢16.

Other websites may charge more to apply. Avoid websites that imitate government services.

An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK.

Who needs an ETA

Most visitors travelling to the UK need an ETA or a visa. What you need depends on:

  • your nationality
  • why 测辞耻鈥檙别 coming to the UK

You usually need an ETA rather than a visa if 测辞耻鈥檙别 from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries.

Check if you need an ETA or visa to come to the UK.

There are some people who do not need an ETA, for example if you have:

  • a British or Irish passport
  • permission to live, work or study in the UK

If 测辞耻鈥檙别 travelling as a family or group

Each person travelling needs an ETA, including babies and children.

You can apply for other people.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Visit the UK to do research

  1. Step 1 Check if 测辞耻鈥檙别 eligible

    Find out what activities you can do and how to prove your eligibility if 测辞耻鈥檙别:

    You must meet the Standard Visitor eligibility requirements even if you do not need a visa.

  2. Step 2 Check if you need a visa

    Depending on the country you're from, you might be able to visit the UK without a visa or by applying for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

    1. Check if you need a visa or an ETA to come to the UK

  3. Step 3 Apply for a visa

    1. Apply for a Standard Visitor visa

    A Standard Visitor visa costs 拢127 and allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

    If 测辞耻鈥檙别 an academic you can apply to stay for up to 12 months. This costs 拢220.

  4. or Apply for an electronic travel authorisation

    1. You are currently viewing: Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

    An ETA costs 拢16 and allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

    You may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa if your research will last longer than 6 months.

  5. or Apply for a family permit

    You may be able to visit on a family permit if you have a family member who is:

    • a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
    • a Person of Northern Ireland
    • a British citizen
    1. Check if you can apply for a family permit

  6. Step 4 Check what you can bring with you

    1. Check what you can bring with you
    2. Check what food, animals or plants you can bring into the UK

  7. Step 5 Check what you need to show at the UK border

    1. Check what you need to show at the UK border

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