How to Apply for a UK ETA — Step-by-Step Guide 2026
This guide covers everything involved in a UK ETA application: what the online application form asks for, how much the application costs in 2026, how long the application takes to process, and how to check your application status once it’s submitted.
Applying through application-eta.uk takes under 10 minutes. You will need your passport, a selfie photo, and a payment card. Choose your service plan (€69 / €119 / €169 total), complete the form, and our team reviews everything before submitting to the Home Office. Most applicants receive their ETA approval by email within minutes.
If you’re ready to apply today, skip straight to the form — it takes under 10 minutes and our team reviews your photo and passport details before submission. Choose Regular (€69, 48–72h), Priority (€119, ~24h), or Dedicated Agent (€169, 1–6h) if your trip is urgent. No appointment, no printing, no embassy visit required.
Ready to Apply? It Takes Under 10 Minutes.
Click the button to start your application.
Start Your UK ETA Application ➤- What You Need Before You Start
- Step-by-Step Application Process
- Apply for Your UK ETA with Our Mobile App (Android only)
- Photo Requirements
- After You Submit — What Happens Next
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Which Plan Should You Choose? (Urgent vs Standard Travel)
- How Much Does It Cost
- UK ETA Application: Form, Online Process & Status
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the UK ETA Application? Form, Online Process & Status, Explained
The UK ETA application is the online form that every eligible traveller must submit and have approved before entering the United Kingdom. It replaces the need for a traditional visa for most visa-exempt nationalities and is completed entirely online — there is no in-person UK ETA application form to print, post, or hand in at an embassy.
In practice, “UK ETA application” covers the whole journey from start to finish: filling in your passport details, uploading your photo, paying the fee, and receiving your decision. Below is a quick reference for the parts of the process people search for most.
| UK ETA Application — What People Ask | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| Is there an official UK ETA application form? | Yes, but it’s entirely digital — there is no paper form. You complete it online through an authorised application channel such as application-eta.uk, or directly on GOV.UK. |
| Can I complete the UK ETA application online from any country? | Yes. The online application works from anywhere with internet access — you do not need to be in the UK or at a UK border to apply. |
| How much is the UK ETA application? | The UK Government fee is £20 per person. Through application-eta.uk, the total cost — including expert review — is €69, €119, or €169 depending on processing speed. |
| How do I check my UK ETA application status? | Use our status check tool with your nationality, passport number, expiry date, and date of birth. |
| Is the UK ETA application the same as a visa application? | No. An ETA is a lighter-weight travel authorisation, not a visa — see the Step-by-Step Application Process above for exactly what’s involved. |
| Can I submit a UK ETA application form for someone else? | Yes — see our FAQ below for applying on behalf of family members or children. |
If you’re ready to begin, the full process — including exactly what the application form asks for — is covered step-by-step in the Step-by-Step Application Process section above, and our UK ETA Apply Android app lets you complete the same application from your phone.
Your UK ETA application is the form and process you complete to request authorisation. Your UK ETA status is the result of that application — Approved, Pending, or Refused. Once you’ve submitted your application, head to our UK ETA status check tool to follow its progress.
Video Guide: How to Apply for Your UK ETA
Watch our step-by-step walkthrough showing exactly how to complete your UK ETA application through application-eta.uk — from start to approval in under 10 minutes.
Watch Video 1 (apply via web site) on YouTube | Watch Video 2 (apply via mobile app) on YouTube
Ready to Apply? It Takes Under 10 Minutes.
Click the button to start your application.
Start Your UK ETA Application ➤What You Need Before You Start
Have the following ready before opening the application form — the process is faster when everything is prepared in advance.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid biometric passport | From an eligible country. Must be the passport you will travel with. Your ETA is linked to this specific passport number. |
| Selfie photo | Plain white or light background, no glasses, neutral expression, even lighting. Taken on your phone — original file, not forwarded via WhatsApp. Full photo guide ➤ |
| Passport biographical page photo | Photo of the page with your name, photo, and passport number. Flat on a dark surface, no glare. |
| Email address | Your approval will be sent here. Use one you check regularly. Check spam after applying. |
| Payment card | Visa, Mastercard, or Amex. Total charged in Euros: €69 (Regular), €119 (Priority), €169 (Dedicated Agent). Veterans, students & minors: tick the discount box in the form. |
| Travel details | Expected arrival date in the UK. Specific flight details are not required. |
If you have your passport, a photo, and a card in hand right now, there’s no reason to wait — the form itself takes under 10 minutes and you can have your application in our review queue before you finish reading this page. Start your application now ➤
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1 — Start your application
Click Apply Now on our homepage. Enter your name, email address, and expected arrival date in the UK. You will be redirected to the page containing the UK ETA application form. Alternatively you may apply using our UK ETA Apply app (Android only).
Step 2 — Choose your service plan
Select the plan that suits your timeline:
- Regular (€69 total) — 48–72h processing. Best if your travel is more than 7 days away.
- Priority (€119 total) — ~24h processing. Recommended if travelling within 3–7 days.
- Dedicated Agent (€169 total) — 1–6h processing. Best for urgent travel or complex cases.
If you are a military veteran, student, or minor under 18, tick the relevant box before payment to receive a 10% discount on the handling fee.
Step 3 — Pay and open the full form
Complete payment. You will receive an immediate confirmation email. A new tab opens with the full application form — your email and plan details are already pre-filled.
Step 4 — Enter your passport details
Fill in your details exactly as they appear in your passport:
- Full name (including middle names if in your passport)
- Nationality — and any other nationalities you hold
- Date of birth
- Passport number and expiry date
- Residential address
- Phone number (optional but recommended)
Your full name — including middle names — must match the machine-readable zone of your passport exactly. A mismatch is the most common reason for delays. Our team checks this before submission.
Step 5 — Upload your passport biographical page
Photograph your passport open at the data page (the page with your photo, name, and machine-readable zone). Place it flat on a dark surface and photograph from directly above. No glare on the surface. All four corners must be visible. See our photo requirements guide for full details.
Step 6 — Upload your selfie photo
Take a photo of your face against a plain white or light background. Good natural lighting from a window. No glasses. Mouth closed. Eyes open and visible. Upload the original file from your camera roll — do not use a WhatsApp-forwarded image as it will be compressed. Full requirements: UK ETA photo guide ➤
Step 7 — Answer suitability questions
Answer 8 yes/no questions about your background — criminal history, immigration violations, and health grounds. For the vast majority of applicants, all answers are No. Answer truthfully — a Yes triggers manual review, not automatic refusal.
Step 8 — Submit
Review all details, then submit. Our team receives your application and begins the expert review process — checking your photo quality, name match, and all details before forwarding to the Home Office. Please wait for your application’s final result (1–3 days) and check your spam or junk folder as well.
That’s the Whole Process — 8 Simple Steps
No embassy, no interview, no printing. Most applicants are done in under 10 minutes and approved within hours.
Apply for Your UK ETA with Our Mobile App (Android only)
The fastest way to complete your UK Electronic Travel Authorisation application is through our free Android app, UK ETA Apply, available now on Google Play.
Designed to guide you through every step of the process, the app checks your eligibility, collects your details, validates your passport photo and selfie automatically, and submits your application — all from your phone.
What you can do in the app:
Apply for your UK ETA in minutes by following a simple step-by-step form. The app automatically checks whether your nationality requires an ETA before you begin. Upload your passport photo and selfie directly from your camera or gallery — our built-in photo validation tool checks image quality, sharpness and document authenticity in real time, so your application is not rejected due to a poor photo. Pay securely using your credit or debit card, or Google Pay, processed through Stripe. Receive your ETA reference number by email as soon as your application is submitted. Update your passport photo or selfie at any time using a secure one-time token, without restarting your application.
If you’re reading this on an Android phone, you can go straight to Google Play, install UK ETA Apply, and complete your entire application — passport details, photo upload, payment — without ever opening a laptop. No NFC chip scanning required; everything is manual entry and photo upload, the same process described in the steps above.
Available in 16 languages
Available in 16 languages: English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Romanian, Czech, Hungarian, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Danish, Turkish.
Download now
The app is free to download. Download UK ETA Apply on Google Play and complete your application in under 10 minutes. Pricing is similar to the website application.
Photo Requirements Summary
| ✔ ACCEPTED | ✘ REJECTED |
|---|---|
| Plain white or light grey background | Furniture, curtains, or patterns behind you |
| Neutral expression, mouth closed | Smiling with teeth showing |
| No glasses | Glasses — clear or tinted |
| Even lighting, no shadows on face | Shadows from hat, glasses, or overhead light |
| Full face visible, chin to top of head | Hair or headwear covering forehead |
| Original file from camera roll | WhatsApp-forwarded or screenshot (compressed) |
| No filters or editing | Beauty mode, Instagram or Snapchat filters |
Full guide with accepted vs rejected examples: UK ETA Photo Requirements 2026 ➤
After You Submit — What Happens Next
- Immediate confirmation email — you receive this as soon as your application is submitted to us. Check spam if it does not arrive within 5 minutes.
- Expert review — our team checks your photo, passport details, and name match before forwarding to the Home Office.
- Home Office processing — most applications are approved within minutes. Some take up to 3 working days for manual review.
- Approval email — contains your ETA reference number. Save this email. Your ETA is linked electronically to your passport — no printing required.
Once you receive your approval email, verify your ETA is active using our status check tool. You will need your nationality, passport number, passport expiry date, and date of birth. This confirms your ETA is correctly linked to your passport before travel.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Name doesn’t match passport | Include all middle names exactly as in the machine-readable zone of your passport |
| Wrong passport number | Double-check every character — zero vs letter O is the most common error |
| Wrong date of birth or nationality | Copy directly from your passport biographical page |
| Photo rejected | Plain white background, good natural light, no glasses — see our photo guide |
| Typo in email address | Check carefully — your approval email is sent here and cannot be resent to a different address |
| Renewing passport before travel | If you renew your passport after applying, you must apply again — ETA is linked to the old passport number |
| Applying too late | Apply at least 72 hours before departure — most approvals are instant but some take up to 3 working days |
Which Plan Should You Choose? Match Your Plan to Your Travel Date
The right choice depends entirely on how soon you’re travelling. Use the table below to pick your plan in seconds — then go straight to the form.
| When Are You Travelling? | Recommended Plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Today or tomorrow | Dedicated Agent (€169) — 1–6h | A personal agent reviews and submits your application immediately, with priority handling for urgent and complex cases. |
| Within 3–7 days | Priority (€119) — ~24h | Faster queue than Regular, with the same expert photo and passport review, well within your travel window. |
| More than 7 days away | Regular (€69) — 48–72h | Standard processing comfortably clears before departure, at the lowest total cost. |
| Not sure yet, just researching | Any plan — apply once you have your travel date | There’s no penalty for applying early. Your ETA is valid for up to 2 years, so applying now doesn’t waste it. |
Choose the Dedicated Agent plan at checkout. A real person reviews your photo and passport details and submits your application as a priority case, with a 1–6 hour turnaround instead of waiting in the standard queue. Apply with Dedicated Agent now ➤
How Much Does It Cost?
All prices are in Euros (EUR) and include the mandatory UK Government fee of £20 (~€23). No hidden charges. Payment by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
| Plan | Total (EUR) | Processing | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | €69 €62 discounted* |
48–72 h | Photo review · Passport check · Email delivery · Basic support |
| Priority | €119 €107 discounted* |
~24 h | Photo review · Passport check · Priority queue · 24/7 support |
| Dedicated Agent | €169 €152 discounted* |
1–6 h | Photo review · Passport check · Personal agent · 24/7 fast support · Complex cases |
* 10% off the handling fee for students, military veterans, and minors under 18. Select the relevant option in the application form before payment — no documentation required. All plans include the non-refundable UK Government fee of £20 (~€23).
Ready to Apply? It Takes Under 10 Minutes.
Our team reviews every photo and passport detail before submission — catching errors before they reach the Home Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to apply for a UK ETA through application-eta.uk?
The application form itself takes under 10 minutes to complete. Once submitted, our team reviews your application before forwarding it to the Home Office. Most applicants receive their ETA approval email within minutes of submission. Some applications take up to 24 hours, and a small number require manual review of up to 3 working days.
What documents do I need to apply for a UK ETA?
You need your valid biometric passport, a selfie photo (plain white background, no glasses), a photo of your passport biographical page, your email address, and a payment card. Travel details such as your expected arrival date are also required — specific flight details are not mandatory.
How much does it cost to apply?
Applying through application-eta.uk costs €69 (Regular), €119 (Priority), or €169 (Dedicated Agent) total, charged in Euros at checkout. This includes the UK Government fee of £20 (~€23) and our handling fee. Veterans, students, and minors under 18 receive a 10% discount on the handling fee — tick the relevant box in the form before payment.
Can I apply for a UK ETA for someone else?
Yes. You can apply on behalf of a family member, child, or any other person. You use your own email address and payment method, but enter the other person’s passport details, photo, and suitability answers. You are responsible for ensuring all information is accurate. Each person requires a separate application.
What happens after I submit my application?
You receive an immediate confirmation email from us. Our team then reviews your photo and passport details before forwarding to the Home Office. You will receive a second email with the decision — approved or refused. Most approvals arrive within minutes. Your ETA is linked electronically to your passport — no printing required.
I made a mistake on my application. Can I edit it?
If you applied through our Priority or Dedicated Agent plans, our team reviews your application before submission and will catch most errors. If the application has already been submitted to the Home Office, it cannot be edited — a new application will be required. Contact our team immediately if you notice an error.
Do I need to print my UK ETA approval?
No. Your UK ETA is linked electronically to your passport number. Airlines check it automatically at check-in by scanning your passport. You do not need to show or print any document. We recommend saving your approval email and keeping the ETA reference number accessible on your phone in case of any query at the border.
Can I apply for my UK ETA right now, today?
Yes. The application is available 24/7 — there’s no appointment booking and no office hours to wait for. Start your application now and, if you choose the Dedicated Agent plan, you can have a decision within 1–6 hours of submitting.
I’m travelling tomorrow — can I still get a UK ETA in time?
In most cases, yes. Select the Dedicated Agent (€169) plan, which provides a 1–6 hour processing window with a personal agent reviewing your case as a priority. Apply as early as possible in the day to leave the maximum buffer before your flight, and keep your phone nearby in case our team needs to reach you about your photo or passport details.
Should I apply on the website or the Android app?
Both submit to the same Home Office system and include the same expert review, so the right choice is whichever is more convenient right now. If you’re at a computer, the website is fastest. If you only have your phone and an Android device, the UK ETA Apply app lets you complete the entire process — including photo capture — without switching devices.
Do I need to wait until I have my flight booked to apply?
No. You only need an expected arrival date, not a confirmed flight booking. Many travellers apply for their UK ETA before finalising flights, since the approval is valid for up to 2 years and does not need to match a specific itinerary. Applying early removes the risk of last-minute delays affecting your travel plans.
Is there an official UK ETA application form to fill in?
There’s no paper form — the entire UK ETA application is completed online. You can submit it through application-eta.uk, where our team reviews your photo and passport details before forwarding it, or directly through the official GOV.UK application. Both lead to the same Home Office decision; the difference is the review step.
Can I complete the UK ETA application online from outside the UK?
Yes. The UK ETA online application is designed to be completed before you travel, from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Most applicants apply from their home country days or weeks before departure — you do not need to be in the UK, and you cannot apply after arrival.
How do I check my UK ETA application status after submitting?
Once your application has been submitted, use our UK ETA status check tool with your nationality, passport number, passport expiry date, and date of birth. This shows whether your application is Approved, Pending, or under further review, and confirms it’s correctly linked to your passport before you travel.
What’s the price of a UK ETA application in 2026?
The UK Government charges £20 per application. Applying through application-eta.uk, the total price — including expert review of your photo and passport details before submission — is €69 (Regular), €119 (Priority), or €169 (Dedicated Agent), all inclusive of the government fee.
Can one UK ETA application form cover my whole family?
No — each traveller needs a separate UK ETA application linked to their own passport, including children and infants. You can, however, submit multiple applications one after another using the same email address and payment method, applying on behalf of each family member.
Sources: UK Home Office — UK ETA application guidance (gov.uk/eta), March 2026 · Home Office Immigration System Statistics, June 2026.