UK ETA Fee Rises to £20 and Becomes Mandatory for 85 Visa-Free Nations from February 25
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee increased from £16 to £20 on April 8, 2026. From February 25, 2026, all visitors from 85 visa-exempt countries must obtain an ETA before boarding transport to the UK; those without one cannot legally travel, marking a shift toward digital-only immigration control.
What is the ETA and Who Needs It?
The UK ETA is a digital pre-travel permission for non-visa national visitors. From 25 February 2026, visitors within scope are legally required to have advance digital permission to travel to the UK, usually an ETA, unless they already hold a UK visa or other UK immigration permission. If you are from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries, you will usually need an ETA.
Cost and Validity
The UK ETA costs £20 per application as of 8 April 2026. The fee increased from £16 on that date. Once approved, an ETA is valid for two years from the date of approval, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. While it remains valid, you can travel to the UK as many times as you wish. There is no limit on the number of trips.
Enforcement and Refusal
From 25 February 2026, the requirement applies through carrier-side verification as a mandatory condition of carriage for the non-visa nationalities within scope. If you need an ETA and do not have one when you travel, the carrier is likely to refuse boarding. If a person's ETA application is refused, they cannot appeal and instead need to apply for a visa if they still wish to seek permission to come to the UK.
What This Means for You
If you are a visitor, family member visiting the UK, or traveling from a visa-exempt country (which now includes US, EU, Australian, Canadian, and Japanese nationals, among many others), you must apply for an ETA before booking your flight or booking transport. Apply at least three days before travel via the UKVI website or app. The £20 fee is non-refundable. Your ETA is tied to the specific passport you use when applying; if you renew your passport, you must apply again. If your ETA is refused without detailed explanation, consider applying for a Standard Visitor Visa instead, which gives you a chance to explain your circumstances. Do not attempt to travel without an ETA if you need one; airlines will refuse boarding.
Sources
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