A UK ETA check should start on GOV.UK with the passport you will actually use for travel. The result depends on nationality, immigration permission, reason for travel, and whether a transit passenger passes through UK border control. An ETA is permission to travel, not a visa and not a guarantee that a border officer will admit the traveler.
Start with the passport, not the flight booking
The current GOV.UK ETA overview routes travelers to the official eligibility check and application. Use the nationality shown on the travel passport. A traveler with more than one nationality may get a different answer depending on which passport is presented to the airline and at the UK border.
| Situation | What to verify | Why it changes the answer |
|---|---|---|
| Short visit | Nationality, purpose, and length of stay | Some visitors use an ETA; others need a visa |
| UK immigration permission | Valid visa, settled status, or other permission | Existing permission can remove the ETA requirement |
| Airport transit | Airside or landside connection | Passing border control can change the requirement |
| Family trip | Every traveler’s passport | Children and babies need their own travel permission |
Check whether an exemption applies
GOV.UK keeps a separate list of situations that do not require an ETA. Examples include British or Irish citizenship, a valid UK visa, and certain forms of permission to live, work, or study in the UK. Do not assume that residence in another country or a previous UK visit creates an exemption. Match the official condition to the traveler and the passport.
Apply in the order that prevents booking problems
- Open the GOV.UK checker and enter the nationality on the passport that will be used.
- Confirm whether the planned activity fits an ETA visit or requires a visa or other permission.
- Check each connection and ask the airline whether a UK transit is airside or requires border control.
- Apply through GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app and enter the passport details exactly.
- Keep the application email and recheck the ETA status if the passport, name, or travel plan changes.
Do not wait until airport check-in to resolve the question. The airline must decide whether the travel document and digital permission are sufficient for boarding. A last-minute mismatch in passport number, nationality, or transit type can be more disruptive than the application itself.
Treat a transit as its own border decision
A connection shown on one airline ticket can still involve UK border control. Baggage collection, an airport change, an overnight connection, or the airline’s transfer arrangement may make a traveler go landside. Ask the operating airline for the exact airport and itinerary rather than relying on a generic statement about UK transit.
The transit visa check guide explains how to separate airport transfer rules from destination entry rules. The passport validity guide covers the separate question of whether the passport itself meets the route and destination requirements.
Read the ETA decision narrowly
An approved ETA is digitally linked to the passport used in the application. It does not prove the traveler can work, stay longer than the permitted visit, receive public funds, or enter for a purpose that needs a visa. It also does not replace airline checks or the border decision on arrival. If the official checker says a visa is required, an ETA application is not a shortcut.
Avoid unofficial application lookalikes
Commercial application sites may charge service fees in addition to the government fee and can look similar to a government page. Check that the address is on gov.uk before entering passport or payment information. Use the fee and processing information displayed on the live GOV.UK page because both can change. As of July 21, 2026, the official overview displays a GBP 20 application fee.
Questions travelers still ask
Does an approved ETA guarantee UK entry?
No. It permits travel to the UK for the stated route but does not guarantee admission at the border.
Does a child need a separate ETA?
Yes when the child is in a category that needs an ETA. Each traveler, including a baby, needs permission linked to that traveler’s passport.
What if I renew my passport after approval?
Check GOV.UK again before travel. The ETA is linked to the passport used in the application, so a new passport can require a new application.
Travel rules and fees can change. This page was checked against GOV.UK on July 21, 2026.