UK ETA for Latin America 2026: Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Guatemala, Paraguay, Uruguay — Plus Brazil & Nicaragua Warning

By the application-eta.uk Expert Team · Last updated: May 2026 · Reviewed by Martin Cage, Senior UK ETA Specialist

Latin America’s relationship with the United Kingdom is complex, diverse and deep-rooted — encompassing the large Mexican tourism and business travel market, Argentina’s historic British ties and substantial British-Argentine community, Peru’s growing UK tourism profile, the smaller but distinct travel markets of Guatemala, Paraguay and Uruguay, and the enormous — but visa-required — Brazilian and Nicaraguan communities. This guide covers every country individually, ordered by population size, with specific travel patterns, ETA considerations and the UK connections that make each nationality’s situation distinct.

1. Latin America and the UK ETA: Context and History

The UK ETA scheme’s Latin American eligibility list reflects a combination of historical bilateral relationships, immigration risk assessment and reciprocity arrangements. Mexico and several South American nations were included in the initial non-EU expansion of January 2025, recognising their established visa-free travel relationships with the UK and their traveller profiles as predominantly tourism and business visitors.

The selective inclusion of Latin American nations means that travellers from neighbouring countries may have very different UK entry requirements. A Mexican national and a Guatemalan national are both ETA-eligible; a Brazilian national — whose country is, by population, the largest in the region — is not. This inconsistency creates genuine confusion and this guide addresses it head-on by covering both eligible and non-eligible countries with equal clarity.

2. ETA Basics: Cost, Validity, What It Covers

For urgent applications, our fast ETA service provides priority processing. You can verify any existing ETA’s status at any time using our instant status lookup tool.

3. Mexico — UK ETA Guide

Mexico and the UK: A Growing Bilateral Relationship

Mexico’s inclusion in the UK ETA scheme from January 2025 was a significant moment in the bilateral relationship — replacing a previous visa-free arrangement with a formal pre-clearance system, while simultaneously opening the UK to a far larger volume of Mexican visitors by removing the paperwork burden. The Mexico City–London Heathrow route, operated by Aeroméxico and codeshared with British Airways, is the primary direct link — a 10-hour flight that has operated continuously since the late 1980s and reflects the strength of the commercial relationship between the two countries.

Mexican Tourism in the UK: Beyond London

Mexican visitors to the UK are disproportionately concentrated in London — the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, Buckingham Palace and the West End theatre scene all feature strongly in Mexican cultural tourism itineraries. Edinburgh is a growing destination, particularly for Mexican visitors combining the UK with European travel. The Lake District, the Cotswolds and Scottish Highlands are increasingly popular as Mexico’s outbound tourism market becomes more sophisticated and experiential.

Connecting Through the United States

Many Mexican travellers to the UK connect through US gateway airports — Houston George Bush (IAH), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), New York JFK or Los Angeles (LAX) — particularly from cities other than Mexico City. This creates an important practical consideration: Mexican nationals transiting through the US need to comply with US entry requirements (ESTA or B visa) for the US transit, and separately hold a valid UK ETA for the UK leg. The two systems are entirely independent — your UK ETA does not cover US transit, and your US ESTA does not cover UK entry. See Section 11 for full connecting flight guidance.

Cancún: Tourism Capital and UK Connection

Cancún International Airport (CUN) is Mexico’s second-busiest airport and a major hub for tourism. Mexican nationals departing from Cancún for the UK — whether directly or via a US connection — need a valid UK ETA. The ETA applies regardless of which Mexican airport you depart from; it is a national authorisation, not an airport-specific one.

4. Argentina — UK ETA Guide

Argentina and the UK: History, Heritage and the British-Argentine Community

The Argentina–United Kingdom relationship is one of the most layered in this guide — shaped by 19th-century British investment that built Argentina’s railway network, a substantial wave of British settlement that created an Anglo-Argentine community of several hundred thousand people, the traumatic rupture of the 1982 Falklands War, and a gradual rebuilding of diplomatic and commercial relations in the decades since. Today, Argentina has one of the largest British-heritage communities of any country outside the Commonwealth — families with surnames like Brown, Wilson, Robertson and Murray who speak Spanish but maintain British cultural traditions across generations.

The Anglo-Argentine Traveller and the ETA

Many Anglo-Argentine individuals hold dual Argentine-British citizenship — either acquired through a British parent or grandparent, or through naturalisation. Dual Argentine-British nationals who hold a valid British passport should travel to the UK on their British passport — British citizens are entirely exempt from the ETA requirement. If you are unsure whether you qualify for British citizenship through your Anglo-Argentine heritage, our full eligibility guide explains the framework. If you do not hold a British passport, apply for an ETA on your Argentine passport before travelling.

Argentina’s Economic Volatility: Currency Considerations

Argentina’s peso (ARS) has experienced extraordinary volatility in recent years, making fixed conversions of the £20 government fee unreliable. At various points in 2024–2025, the same £20 fee has ranged from 8,000 to 25,000+ ARS depending on the official vs parallel exchange rate environment. Payment for the ETA is made in GBP via Stripe — the conversion occurs at the time of payment at the prevailing exchange rate. We note this not to discourage application, but to encourage Argentine applicants to be aware that the ARS equivalent cost fluctuates.

Buenos Aires: Gateway to the UK

Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) is Argentina’s main international gateway. British Airways operates a direct Heathrow service, making Buenos Aires–London one of the longest direct commercial routes in the world at approximately 13–14 hours. Multiple European carriers offer connections via their respective hubs. The ETA check occurs at Ezeiza before boarding — your authorisation must be active before you reach check-in.

5. Peru — UK ETA Guide

Peru and the UK: A Growing Connection

Peru’s inclusion in the UK ETA scheme reflects the country’s growing economic profile and established bilateral relationship with Britain. The UK has been a significant investor in Peru’s mining sector, and Lima’s growing middle class has driven an expansion in outbound tourism. Peruvian cuisine — elevated globally by chefs including Gastón Acurio and by Lima’s extraordinary restaurant scene — has created a culinary tourism connection with London, which hosts some of the finest Peruvian restaurants outside Lima. The UK Peruvian community, concentrated in London, Birmingham and Manchester, provides a significant driver for family visit travel.

No Direct Flight to London: The Hub Connection Reality

There are currently no direct flights between Lima and London. All Peruvian travellers to the UK must connect through at least one hub — typically Madrid (Iberia), Amsterdam (KLM), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), Paris (Air France) or Bogotá (LATAM connecting to British Airways). This means Peruvian travellers transit through other countries’ airports en route, and the ETA check occurs at the final departure point before the UK leg — which may be Madrid, Amsterdam or Frankfurt rather than Lima itself. Ensure your ETA is active before leaving Lima on your outbound journey.

Peruvian Heritage Tourists: Machu Picchu in Reverse

An interesting dynamic in Peru–UK travel is the heritage tourism dimension running in both directions. Large numbers of UK tourists visit Machu Picchu and Peru’s archaeological wealth annually. In the other direction, Peruvians visiting the UK frequently seek out British heritage experiences — the British Museum’s collection of Peruvian artefacts (a politically sensitive topic between the two governments), Stonehenge, and Scotland’s landscapes resonate with heritage-conscious Peruvian travellers.

6. Guatemala — UK ETA Guide

Guatemala and the UK: Cultural Heritage and the Maya Connection

Guatemala’s relationship with the UK is built primarily on cultural and heritage links — Mayan civilisation, colonial architecture, colonial-era natural history exploration, and the extraordinary biodiversity of the country’s cloud forests and volcanic landscapes. British archaeologists and institutions including the British Museum have long maintained scholarly relationships with Guatemala’s Maya sites. The UK Guatemalan community is smaller than those from Argentina or Peru but is growing, particularly in London’s restaurant and hospitality sector where Guatemalan cuisine — rich in indigenous ingredients — is gaining recognition.

Connecting via the United States: The US Transit Consideration

Most Guatemalan travellers to the UK connect through US airports — Miami, Houston, Dallas or New York. This means they need a US visa or ESTA for the US transit component of their journey, and separately a UK ETA for the UK leg. The US ESTA applies to certain nationalities (primarily wealthy Western nations) — Guatemalan nationals are not US ESTA-eligible and need a US B1/B2 visitor visa for any transit through a US airport. This adds complexity to the Guatemala–UK journey. Many Guatemalan travellers prefer the Madrid connection via Iberia for this reason — Spain issues Schengen visas, and Schengen transit rules allow certain nationalities to transit without a Schengen visa depending on citizenship. Check your specific transit requirements before booking. Your UK ETA covers only the UK leg of your journey.

Guatemala City Airport: The Single International Gateway

Guatemala has one significant international airport — La Aurora (GUA) in Guatemala City. Most international travellers depart from here, though Quetzaltenango and other cities have small domestic airports. The ETA check for Guatemalan nationals travelling to the UK occurs at their last departure point before the UK-bound flight — which may be Miami, Madrid or another hub, not necessarily Guatemala City itself.

7. Paraguay — UK ETA Guide

Paraguay and the UK: A Small but Distinct Connection

Paraguay is South America’s only fully landlocked country — bordered by Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia — and its geographic isolation gives it a distinctive character. It is one of South America’s least-known countries internationally, yet it holds a unique position as one of the world’s most diverse in terms of immigrant-heritage populations. German Mennonite communities in the Chaco, Japanese-Paraguayan descendants, and communities of Lebanese, Korean and Ukrainian heritage coexist with the indigenous Guaraní and Spanish colonial cultures. Paraguay’s UK connection is relatively modest in volume but the country’s ETA eligibility is significant for its growing middle class.

The Two-Connection Reality: Asunción to London

Getting from Asunción to London is a multi-connection journey — typically involving a regional hub (São Paulo, Buenos Aires or Bogotá) and then a transatlantic hub (Madrid, Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Paris) before the final London leg. Total travel time is typically 24–30 hours. This means the UK ETA check may occur at the penultimate departure airport (e.g. Madrid or Amsterdam) rather than at Asunción itself. Ensure your ETA is active and confirmed before leaving Paraguay, not just before boarding the final London flight.

Paraguay’s European-Heritage Community and ETA Implications

Paraguay has a distinctive population of European-heritage residents who may hold both Paraguayan and European passports — German, Ukrainian, Polish, Italian and other EU nationalities. These individuals can choose which passport to travel on for UK purposes. If you hold an EU passport alongside your Paraguayan passport, you are ETA-eligible on both. If you hold a German passport, you can also apply for an ETA on that. The choice of which passport to use does not affect ETA eligibility — simply apply on the passport you intend to travel with.

8. Uruguay — UK ETA Guide

Uruguay and the UK: Punching Above Its Weight

Uruguay is South America’s second-smallest country by population yet consistently ranks among the continent’s most politically stable, transparent and progressive nations. Its per-capita income is among South America’s highest, and its educated, outward-looking population generates a disproportionately high rate of international travel. Uruguay’s relationship with the UK is characterised by historical British investment in agriculture and railways, a small but established British-heritage community in the Uruguayan countryside, and a modern bilateral relationship centred on education, technology and professional exchange.

The Montevideo–London Journey

Montevideo Carrasco International Airport (MVD) is Uruguay’s only international airport. Connections to London are typically made via Buenos Aires Ezeiza (a short 50-minute regional flight), São Paulo, or direct to Madrid on Iberia or Aerolíneas Argentinas. The Montevideo–Buenos Aires route is one of the most-served short-haul corridors in South America, and using Ezeiza as a transatlantic gateway is common for Uruguayan international travellers.

Uruguayan Students and the UK University Connection

Uruguay has one of Latin America’s most educated populations and a strong tradition of sending students to UK universities — particularly in the arts, humanities, law and social sciences. The ETA covers short-duration academic visits including open days, short courses (under 6 months) and conference attendance. Full-time degree enrolment requires a UK Student Visa — a separate process. Our occupation and status guide clarifies the distinction between visitor-status study (ETA) and full academic study (Student Visa).

9. Brazil — Standard Visitor Visa Required (NOT ETA-Eligible)

Why Is Brazil Not on the ETA List?

The UK Home Office has not published an explicit explanation for Brazil’s exclusion from the ETA scheme. Possible factors include migration risk assessment, reciprocity considerations (Brazil requires UK nationals to obtain a visa for certain purposes), and the scale of irregular migration flows. The situation may change in future — the UK periodically reviews its eligible nationality lists — but as of May 2026, Brazilian nationals require a Standard Visitor Visa for all UK visits.

Brazilian nationals who hold dual nationality with an ETA-eligible country — for example, a Brazilian-Italian dual national — may be able to travel to the UK on their non-Brazilian passport if that nationality is ETA-eligible. Italian, German, Portuguese and other EU passports all qualify. This does not require any special arrangement — simply apply for the ETA on the eligible passport you intend to travel with.

10. Nicaragua — Removed from ETA List on 5 March 2026

11. Connecting Flights Through the USA: An Important Note

Many Latin American travellers to the UK connect through US airports — Miami, Houston, Dallas, New York or Los Angeles. This creates a specific situation that is worth understanding clearly: the UK ETA and the US travel authorisation (ESTA or B visa) are completely separate systems. Holding one does not grant access to the other.

For travellers from Mexico, Peru, Guatemala and Paraguay who do not hold a US visa, routing via European hubs — Madrid (Iberia), Amsterdam (KLM), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), Paris (Air France) or Lisbon (TAP) — avoids the US visa requirement entirely and in many cases offers more convenient journey times. Your UK ETA covers only the UK portion of your trip — transit requirements for intermediate countries (USA, EU) must be arranged separately. Our Heathrow transit guide covers what happens specifically at UK airports for connecting passengers.

12. Diaspora Communities and Visiting Family

Latin American communities in the UK are substantial — particularly the Brazilian, Argentine, Peruvian and Colombian communities in London, and smaller but established Guatemalan, Uruguayan, Mexican and Paraguayan communities across British cities. For nationals of ETA-eligible countries who travel between their home country and the UK for family visits, the ETA process is straightforward but must not be neglected.

Latin American nationals living in the UK under any immigration permission — whether a work visa, Student Visa, or Skilled Worker visa — still need a valid ETA on their home country passport to re-enter the UK after any international travel. The ETA is checked at departure, before the immigration officer sees your leave to remain at the UK border. Both requirements apply independently.

13. How to Apply: Step by Step

If your ETA application is refused — which affects fewer than 1% of first-time applicants from the six ETA-eligible Latin American countries — our refusal guide explains possible reasons and next steps. There is no right of appeal against an ETA refusal; a Standard Visitor Visa would be the alternative. For urgent travel, our fast ETA service provides the quickest available processing.

14. Frequently Asked Questions