The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) now costs GBP 20 per person, up from GBP 16, after the price increase took effect on 8 April 2026. If you’re planning a trip to London or anywhere else in the UK, here’s what the change means for you and what you can do about it.
If you already hold a valid ETA, you’re not affected. Your existing authorization remains valid until it expires, but if you need to apply (or reapply), you’ll pay the new rate. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Exactly Changed on 8 April 2026?
The new price
The ETA fee rose from GBP 16 to GBP 20 — a 25% increase. The change applies based on when you submit your application, not when you travel. So if you applied before 8 April, you paid the old rate even if your trip is months away.
What stays the same
Everything else about the ETA is unchanged. It’s still valid for two years (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first), still allows multiple entries, and still covers stays of up to six months per visit.
Why the increase?
The UK Home Office describes its immigration system as increasingly “user-funded” — meaning the cost of running border security is passed to travellers rather than covered by general taxation. The ETA programme has already processed over 24.8 million authorisations since its launch, and the additional revenue is earmarked for digital borders infrastructure and biometric systems.
The price trajectory so far
For context, the ETA launched at just GBP 10, rose to GBP 16, and now sits at GBP 20. That’s a 100% increase from the original price in just over two years.
Do You Need a UK ETA?
Not everyone needs one. Whether you need an ETA depends entirely on your nationality and what travel documents you hold.
You need an ETA if…
You’re a citizen of one of the 85 visa-exempt nationalities that the UK allows to visit without a visa. This includes nationals of the United States, Canada, Australia, all EU countries, and GCC countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman).
Since 25 February 2026, holding an approved ETA before you travel is mandatory. Airlines will deny boarding if you don’t have one.
You do NOT need an ETA if…
- You’re a British or Irish citizen (including dual nationals)
- You already hold a valid UK visa (tourist, work, student, etc.)
- You have settled or pre-settled status in the UK
- You’re transiting through Heathrow or Manchester without passing through UK border control (staying in the international zone)
- You’re travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man under the Common Travel Area arrangement
Important note for Indian, Pakistani, and other visa-required nationalities
If your nationality requires a visa to visit the UK, the ETA doesn’t apply to you at all. Citizens of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and many other countries still need a Standard Visitor Visa (currently GBP 135 from 8 April 2026) through the normal application process. The ETA system is only for visa-exempt nationals.
You can check whether you need an ETA or a visa on the official UK government visa checker.
What Does the New Price Mean for Your Trip Budget?
Family travel adds up quickly
Every traveller needs their own ETA — including children and babies. At the new rate, a family of four now pays GBP 80 total (up from GBP 64). A family of five pays GBP 100.
While GBP 20 per person isn’t a deal-breaker on its own, it’s one of several costs that stack up when visiting the UK.
How the UK ETA compares to other travel authorizations
| Authorisation | Cost | Validity | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK ETA | GBP 20 (~US $26) | 2 years | United Kingdom only |
| US ESTA | US $40.27 | 2 years | United States only |
| Canada eTA | CA $7 (~US $5) | 5 years | Canada only |
| EU ETIAS (late 2026) | EUR 20 | 3 years | 26+ Schengen countries |
At ~US $26, the UK ETA is cheaper than the US ESTA ($40.27) but covers only one country — compared to the EU’s ETIAS, which grants access to 26+ Schengen countries for the same €20 price tag. Canada’s eTA remains the best value at just CA $7.
The silver lining
At two years of validity with unlimited entries, the per-trip cost drops quickly if you visit the UK more than once. If you make two trips in two years, you’re effectively paying GBP 10 per trip, still comparable to similar schemes elsewhere.
How to Apply for the UK ETA
The application process is straightforward and takes about 10 minutes. Most people receive an instant decision, though the Home Office advises allowing up to three working days for cases that need manual review.
Step-by-step process
- Download the UK ETA app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You can also apply through the UK government website
- Scan your passport using your phone’s NFC reader (the app will guide you through this)
- Take a selfie for identity verification — plain background, even lighting, no glasses
- Answer the eligibility questions — covering your health, criminal history, and immigration background
- Pay GBP 20 by debit or credit card
- Receive your decision — usually within minutes, by email
What you’ll need
- A valid passport (biometric or non-biometric)
- A smartphone with a camera (for the app) or a computer (for the website)
- A debit or credit card for payment
- An email address to receive your confirmation
Tips for a smooth application
Apply at least a week before your trip. While most decisions come through in minutes, some applications require manual review. Don’t risk it the night before your flight.
Double-check your passport details. Your name must match the machine-readable zone (MRZ) on your passport exactly. A single typo can cause rejection.
You don’t need to print anything. The ETA is linked digitally to your passport. Airlines and border officers check it electronically — there’s no physical document to carry.
What You Can (and Can’t) Do With a UK ETA
Permitted activities
Your ETA covers the same range of activities as a Standard Visitor visa. You can use it for:
- Tourism and holidays — sightseeing, visiting friends and family
- Business trips — attending meetings, conferences, and trade fairs
- Short-term study — courses up to six months
- Transit — if you pass through UK border control (e.g., to collect and recheck baggage)
- Creative work — up to three months under the Creative Worker concession with an approved sponsor
What you cannot do
An ETA is not a work permit. You cannot take up employment, provide services to UK clients, or access public funds. For longer stays or work, you still need a visa.
If you’re planning to search for flights to London, Edinburgh, or Manchester, make sure your ETA is sorted before you book. You can compare flight prices on Wego and track real-time flight status for any UK airport, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh.
Looking for accommodation? Search for hotels in London, hotels in Edinburgh, or hotels in Manchester on Wego.
Frequently Asked Questions
My existing ETA was granted before 8 April — do I need to pay the new fee?
No. If your ETA is still valid (within two years and your passport hasn’t expired), it remains active at no extra cost. You only pay the new GBP 20 fee when you apply for a new ETA or when your current one expires and you need to reapply.
Do children and babies need their own ETA?
Yes. Every traveller, regardless of age, needs their own ETA linked to their own passport. There are no exemptions for minors, and each application costs GBP 20.
Can I still visit the UK without an ETA?
Only if you’re exempt — for example, if you’re a British or Irish citizen, hold a valid UK visa, or have settled status. For all other visa-exempt nationals, the ETA has been mandatory since 25 February 2026. Airlines will deny boarding without one.
I’m an Indian/Pakistani passport holder — does this affect me?
The ETA price increase doesn’t directly affect you, because citizens of India, Pakistan, and other visa-required nationalities need a Standard Visitor Visa instead. The UK visitor visa fee also increased to GBP 135 on 8 April 2026.
What if my ETA application is refused?
If your ETA is refused, you won’t be able to travel to the UK without applying for a visa instead. The GBP 20 fee is non-refundable. Common reasons for refusal include criminal history, previous immigration violations, or security concerns. You can reapply or apply for a Standard Visitor Visa as an alternative.
Sources
- UK Government — Get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to Visit the UK
- UK Government — Apply for an ETA
- UK Home Office — Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Factsheet, March 2026
- UK Government — UK Enforces Digital Permission to Travel
- UK Government — What You Can and Cannot Do With an ETA
- UK Government — Check If You Can Get an ETA
- Fragomen — United Kingdom: Fee Increases in April 2026
- UK Government — When You Do Not Need an ETA
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
