This article contains step-by-step instructions on how to apply for the United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
Please note that entry requirements are always subject to change. For the most current and accurate information, we recommend checking the U.S. Department of State's website, the Government of Canada's website or getting in touch with the respective country's consulate or embassy.
What you need
To enter the United Kingdom, all U.S. and Canadian passport holders will need to apply for an ETA. The UK encompasses England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The ETA is electronically linked to your passport, and you will receive a confirmation email within 3 business days of applying. You will not receive any separate travel documents.
When to apply
We recommend applying at least 30 days prior to departure to allow time for processing. Between 30 and 45 days prior to departure, you’ll receive an email from our team reminding you to apply for your ETA. Because the ETA is valid for 2 years after approval, you are welcome to apply as early as you’d like! Keep in mind, if you renew your passport after applying for the ETA, you’ll need to reapply.
How to apply
While our team is dedicated to keeping visa information up to date, please be aware that consulate applications are subject to change. As a result, your application may differ slightly from this guide. In such cases, use this guide as a reference, but follow your application’s instructions.
Walkthrough:
Online application instructions
To apply for the UK ETA online, visit this website: https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/apply/electronic-travel-authorisation/how-to-apply
After selecting “continue,” type in your email address.
Below is the email that will be sent to your inbox with your security code.
After you receive the security code to your email, copy and paste that code into the space provided and select “Continue.”
Next, you'll upload a photo of your passport. Please read the photo guidelines carefully to ensure you're following the instructions when uploading your passport image.
Select “Choose file” and upload your passport photo. Make sure to double check that it's a “JPG” or “JPEG” file.
Below is a potential error message you'll see if your passport photo does not meet the requirements. You'll receive this message if your passport is unreadable, along with suggestions on how to correct the image.
You'll see the message below if your passport photo is too small. Please ensure that your photo is at least 600px by 750px.
Once your passport photo is accepted, you'll see a page displaying the photo of your passport.
Please review this page to ensure that all information matches exactly as it appears on your passport.
Next, you'll uploaded a photo of yourself. You won't be able to use the "scan your face" feature on a computer, so you'll need to upload a photo. Select "skip this step" to proceed to the page where you can upload your photo.
Please be sure to read all the photo requirements and review the examples to ensure your photo matches them.
Once your photo is ready, select "Choose file" to upload it. Please ensure the file is in "JPG" or "JPEG" format.
You'll see this message if your photo doesn't meet the requirements. Should this happen, select "No, I want to upload another photo" and retake your picture.
Once your photo meets the requirements, you'll see this page. Select "Yes, I want to use this photo" and select "Continue."
You'll then be asked a series of questions. Be sure to add "+1" before entering your phone number.
Enter your home address in the United States or Canada.
Choose your answer and select "Continue."
You'll then be asked the question below. If you answer "Yes, I have a job," you'll need to enter your profession.
Choose your answer and select "Continue."
Once again, choose your answer and select "Continue."
Please review all the information in your application to ensure everything is correct.
Select "Continue to payment.”
Next, enter the country you're applying from so the payment can adjust to your local currency.
On this page, you'll see the total cost for your ETA application.
Enter your card information here, then select "Make Payment."
After your payment is processed, you'll see this message and receive an email confirming that your application has been submitted.
If your application is approved, you'll receive an email confirmation within 24 to 72 hours. While your ETA is linked to your passport, we recommend keeping this email in a safe place for future reference.
Mobile app application instructions
To apply for the UK ETA via the mobile app, go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your device and download the UK ETA app shown below.
Once downloaded, you will see this screen. Please make sure that you have everything ready to go before starting the application, then click “continue.”
Please read everything on this page before clicking “Start now.”
Please read this page before clicking “Agree and continue.”
Type in your email address. This will be where you will receive an update about your ETA after you complete the application. Click “Continue.”
You will receive an email with a confirmation code that expires in 10 minutes. Please check your spam/junk folder if you do not see it.
You will then type your security code that is in your email on the next page in the application and then click “continue.”
Type in your phone number and click “continue.”
Next, you will be asked if your passport has a biometric chip. If your passport contains a chip, you will see an image on the front of your passport.
You will need to grant access so they can read the chip. Make sure to remove any cases you have on your phone or passport. Click “continue.”
You will need to make sure that the phone and front of the passport are touching like in the image shown below. Hold your phone there until the scan is accepted or denied.
If your chip is not found, then you will be taken to this page. Please make sure you follow all the instructions and then click “try again.”
If after you try again and still cannot scan the passport chip, then you will see this page. You can click “skip” and continue onto the next page.
You will then need to confirm everything is correct as it appears on your passport. If anything is wrong, then you can edit it. After looking over everything, click “continue.”
You will then be required to scan your face using your phone's camera. Please make sure to read all the information and then click, “Scan face.”
After you scan your face, you will need to take a photo of yourself. Click “continue.”
Make sure to follow the instructions when taking the photo shown below. If you do not meet the requirements, you will have to take the photo over again. After reading over everything, click “use camera.”
If your photo is accepted, then it will automatically be taken to the next page in the application. Please add your home address in the US or Canada.
You will confirm your nationality on the next page and then click “continue.”
Answer the next questions:
Please go through all your information and answer to make sure everything is correct. If everything looks good, then click “continue.”
Read over the information on the declaration and then click “continue to payment.”
Select which country you are applying from to adjust the currency. Then click “continue.”
You will see your total in the currency based on the country you selected. Click “continue to payment.”
You will have an option to pay by card or Apple Pay (if using an iPhone). They will accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards.
Once you processed your payment, you will see this screen below. You will receive an email confirmation that your application was submitted.
After payment, you will receive a confirmation email with the subject line, “We are processing your ETA application.” If you do not see the email, then make sure to check your spam/junk folders.
When your ETA is approved, you will receive another email with the subject line, “ETA application approved.” If you do not see the email, then make sure to check your spam/junk folders. You DO NOT need to have this printed. You will only need your passport when you go through border control.