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UK ETA
Purpose
Tourism, family visits, short-term business or short studies (up to 6 months).
Stay
Maximum 6 months per visit.
Validity
2 years
Multiple entry
YES
Required documentation
Passport Bio Page and Recent Passport-Style Photo.
Service fee
$59
Government tax
£20 GBP
99% Approval success rate
Manual expert review
Bank-level data security
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24/7 Expert assistance
Apply for your UK ETA
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is not a traditional visa, but a digital permit linked to your passport. Its implementation seeks to digitize British borders and improve national security, allowing the government to carry out checks prior to the arrival of travelers.
Key points of the ETA system:
Full Requirement: As of February 25, 2026, no airline or international transport (Eurostar, ferries) will allow you to board for the United Kingdom if you do not have your approved ETA (or a valid visa/residency).
Digital Link: It is not a paper document you must print. When your passport is scanned at border control or at the check-in counter, the system will automatically detect your permit.
Duration and Stay: Once granted, the ETA is valid for 2 years. During that time, you can enter the United Kingdom multiple times, as long as each stay does not exceed 6 months.
Transit: Even if you are only going to have a layover at a British airport to fly to another destination, it is very likely that you will need the ETA if you must pass through immigration control.
Which nationalities are eligible to apply for a UK ETA?
The system has been rolled out gradually. For 2026, the spectrum of included countries is complete for those who previously did not need a visa.
European Union and European Economic Area Citizens
All citizens of the EU (Spain, France, Germany, Italy, etc.), as well as those from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, mandatory require the ETA to travel to the United Kingdom starting February 2026.
Other visa-exempt countries
Countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and many others in Latin America and Asia are also within the program. If your passport allowed you to enter as a tourist “with only your passport” before 2024, that same passport now requires an ETA.
Important Exceptions
Irish Citizens: Due to the Common Travel Area agreement, citizens of the Republic of Ireland do not need an ETA to enter the United Kingdom.
Residents with Visas: If you already have an “eVisa” (settled or pre-settled status due to Brexit) or a valid work/student visa, you do not need to apply for the ETA.
Dual Nationality: If you are a British citizen but travel with your other passport (for example, Spanish), the government recommends always traveling with your British passport or proving your right to residence to avoid being required to have an ETA.
Difference between ETA and Visa
It is vital not to confuse them. The ETA is for short visits (tourism, business, short studies). If your intention is to work, live permanently, or study a university degree in the United Kingdom, you must apply for a residence or work visa, a much more complex and expensive process.
Simple Online Application: Fill out our streamlined form designed for a quick and error-free experience.
AI-Powered Support: Access our intelligent AI assistant at any step to resolve doubts and get instant answers during your application.
Expert Review: Our team checks your application to ensure all information meets the official requirements before submission.
Direct Delivery: Once processed by the authorities, you will receive your electronic visa directly in your inbox.
Join thousands of travelers who choose MyTripVisa for a seamless and efficient way to manage their online visa applications and travel documents for destinations worldwide.
Which vaccines are mandatory for traveling to the United Kingdom?
Unlike other tropical destinations, the United Kingdom has very relaxed health requirements for international tourists. Currently, there are no mandatory vaccines to enter the United Kingdom from Europe or America. A Yellow Fever certificate is not required unless you come from an endemic area with risk of transmission.
Recommendations: It is advisable to have your country’s standard vaccination schedule up to date (Tetanus, Diphtheria, MMR). If you travel in winter, the flu vaccine is recommended due to the high circulation of the virus on the islands.
Must-see destinations: What to see in the United Kingdom in 2026?
The United Kingdom is a mosaic of four nations (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), each with its own identity, culture, and landscapes. By processing your UK ETA, the door opens to a diversity that ranges from cutting-edge metropolises to natural landscapes that seem frozen in time.
London: The metropolis that never rests
London is, for many, the gateway. In 2026, the city remains a world reference in culture and leisure.
Historical icons: You cannot leave without visiting Westminster Abbey, where coronations are held, or the Tower of London, which guards the Crown Jewels.
Views from the Thames: A walk along the South Bank will allow you to see the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, and the majestic Tower Bridge.
World-class museums: Remember that entry to the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Natural History Museum remains free, making London a culturally accessible destination.
Edinburgh and the Highlands: The soul of Scotland
Scotland offers a radically different experience from England.
Edinburgh: The Scottish capital is famous for its “Royal Mile,” the street that connects Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse. If you travel in August, you will experience the Edinburgh Festival, the world’s largest performing arts event.
The Highlands: For nature lovers, the Cairngorms National Park and the Isle of Skye are mandatory stops. Skye, with its rock formations like the Old Man of Storr, offers the most photogenic landscapes in the entire UK.
Loch Ness: Beyond the myth of “Nessie,” the Inverness area and Urquhart Castle offer serene and mystical natural beauty.
The English countryside: Postcard villages
If you are looking for the classic image of England (stone houses, green hills, and sheep), you should head to the center and south of the country.
The Cotswolds: This region, designated as an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,” is home to villages like Castle Combe and Bibury. It is the ideal place to rent a car and get lost on secondary roads.
Stonehenge: Located on the Salisbury Plain, this prehistoric stone circle continues to baffle archaeologists. It is advisable to book your entry well in advance, especially during the solstices.
Bath: This entire city is a World Heritage Site. Its Roman Baths are among the best preserved in the world, and its Georgian architecture inspired writers like Jane Austen.
Wales: Land of castles and legends
Wales is often the great forgotten, but it has one of the highest densities of castles per square kilometer in Europe.
Snowdonia National Park (Eryri): A paradise for hiking where Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales, is located.
Conwy and Caernarfon: Walled cities with imposing medieval castles that look like something out of a period movie.
Cardiff: A modern capital with a castle right in the center and a revitalized bay full of restaurants and nightlife.
Northern Ireland: Giant’s causeways and movie sets
Crossing the channel, Northern Ireland offers spectacular coastal routes.
The Giant’s Causeway: Formed by 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns, it is a geological wonder wrapped in legends of giants.
Belfast: A city with a fascinating history. Do not miss the Titanic Belfast, the largest museum in the world dedicated to the famous ocean liner, built precisely in those shipyards.
Game of Thrones Route: Many fans travel to see the “Dark Hedges” or Ward Castle, which served as Winterfell in the famous series.
Northern England Cities: Music and Football
Manchester: Birthplace of the industrial revolution and modern football. Its neighborhoods like the Northern Quarter are full of urban art and independent coffee shops.
Liverpool: Essential for any fan of The Beatles. A tour of The Cavern Club and the dock museums (Albert Dock) is a mandatory experience.
York: Considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, with its narrow medieval streets (The Shambles) and its Gothic cathedral, York Minster.