A Guide to the UK’s ETA Fee to Enter the Country

Traveling to the United Kingdom is about to get more expensive thanks to the country’s plans to implement a new electronic travel authorization (ETA) fee this week.

The long-anticipated ETA will be required for most travelers arriving in the country, including from the United States, starting Wednesday, Jan. 8. The ETA will be valid for multiple entries.

Seema Malhotra, the UK’s minister for migration and citizenship, has said the ETA “demonstrates our commitment to enhance security through new technology and embedding a modern immigration system.”

This is everything travelers need to know about the ETA from how much it will cost to how to apply, and more.

When will the ETA go into effect?

The ETA fee will go into effect on Jan. 8 for travelers from dozens of countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Mexico, and more. Then on April 2, travelers from European countries will similarly be required to apply to enter the UK. 

The ETA has been required for travelers from several Gulf countries since 2023 and 2024, including from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

How much will it cost?

An ETA costs £10 ($12.51) to apply and is linked to a traveler’s passport.

How often will it be required?

Once. Each authorization will be valid for multiple trips over two years (or until the traveler’s passport expires) for stays of up to six months at a time.

How do you apply?

Travelers can apply either through a mobile app for iOS or through Google Play, or online. Each person must apply separately, and decisions are typically offered within three working days or less.

Travelers who apply through the app are more likely to get a faster decision.

What information will be required for an application?

To apply for the ETA, travelers will need to upload a photo of their passport and a photo of themselves. They will also need access to their email as well as a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Who is exempt from paying the fee?

There are several exemptions to the ETA, including travelers with dual British or Irish citizenship and those who have permission to live, work, or study in the UK.

Does the U.S. have anything similar? 

Yes. In the U.S., visitors must also apply for a similar authorization before coming called the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (or ESTA), which is available to travelers from countries granted a Visa Waiver Program. The application fee for ESTA costs $21.

What about visiting the rest of Europe?

The European Commission plans to roll out its own electronic authorization called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (or ETIAS). That system is expected to go into effect sometime this year for travelers from dozens of visa-exempt countries, including from the U.S. That fee will cost €7 ($7.27).