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Electronic travel authorisation

1 storyUpdated 7 October 2026, 13:48 UTC

This page is assembled from the stories below. Every line comes from a story's current version and links to the source it cites.

Where things stand

DevelopingUK ETA: every date, fee and country change from the 2023 launch to today
A UK ETA costs £20 and is required for visa-free visitors, including most Europeans, Americans and Australians.

Key facts

An ETA currently costs £20, according to GOV.UK. GOV.UK
With an ETA, a visa-free visitor can come to the UK, and to Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, for stays of up to 6 months. Most visitors from Europe, the USA, Australia and Canada need one rather than a visa. GOV.UK
European visitors have needed an ETA to travel since 2 April 2025. GOV.UK

Timeline

9 April 2026Since 9 April 2026 an ETA also covers travel to Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. GOV.UK
5 March 2026Nationals of Nicaragua and St Lucia lost access to the ETA on 5 March 2026. GOV.UK
3 February 2026On 3 February 2026 the embassy removed the price from its page, saying the cost will change in the future. GOV.UK
9 December 2025Nauruan nationals lost access to the ETA on 9 December 2025. GOV.UK
14 October 2025Botswana was removed from the ETA list on 14 October 2025. GOV.UK
2 April 2025European visitors have needed an ETA to travel since 2 April 2025. GOV.UK
12 March 2025Trinidad and Tobago nationals lost access to the ETA on 12 March 2025. GOV.UK
5 March 2025Applications opened on 5 March 2025 for nationals of EU countries other than Ireland, and of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City. GOV.UK
16 January 2025On 16 January 2025 the Home Office laid legislation allowing the ETA fee to rise to £16. GOV.UK
26 November 2024Colombia was taken off the ETA list on 26 November 2024 because Colombians now need a visa. GOV.UK
22 February 2024Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan needed an ETA from 22 February 2024, with applications open from 1 February 2024. GOV.UK
15 November 2023The scheme opened on 15 November 2023, when Qatari nationals began needing an ETA. It cost £10 at launch. GOV.UK
25 October 2023Qatari nationals, the first to use the scheme, could apply from 25 October 2023. GOV.UK

Stories in this record

DevelopingTravel and borders

UK ETA: every date, fee and country change from the 2023 launch to today

A UK ETA costs £20 and is required for visa-free visitors, including most Europeans, Americans and Australians.

Updated 7 October 2026, 13:48 UTC · 1 version