Most visitors to the UK now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they fly into Heathrow, unless they hold a British or Irish passport or already have permission to live, work or study in the UK. It costs £20, lets you travel for up to 6 months, and the decision usually arrives by email within a day, though it can take up to 3 working days, so apply well before you travel to Heathrow rather than at the airport. Checked against gov.uk's official ETA guidance, October 2026.
Who needs an ETA to fly into Heathrow
You usually need an ETA, rather than a visa, if you're travelling to the UK from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or most other visa-exempt countries, for tourism, visiting family, or certain other short-term reasons. You don't need one if you have a British or Irish passport, or if you already have permission to live, work or study in the UK. Every other traveller, including babies and children, needs their own individual ETA; there's no family or group application that covers more than one person, though you can apply on someone else's behalf.
You need one even if you're only transiting through Heathrow
This catches a lot of people out. If you're flying into Heathrow and passing through UK border control before continuing to another flight, known as transiting "landside", you need an ETA just as if the UK were your final destination. Check with your airline if you're unsure whether your connection at Heathrow is landside or stays airside, since that changes whether you need one.
How much it costs and how to apply
An ETA costs £20, whether you apply online or through the official UK ETA app. You cannot get a faster decision by applying through a third-party website, and some of those sites charge considerably more than the official £20 fee for the same application, so apply directly through gov.uk or the UK ETA app.
| What you need | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cost | £20 per person, no refund after applying |
| Valid for | Up to 6 months, multiple entries |
| Decision time | Usually within 1 day, can take up to 3 working days |
| What you need to apply | Your passport, an email address, and a credit/debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay |
| What you get | A 16-digit ETA reference number by email |
You'll need to take or upload a photo of your passport and a photo of your own face as part of the application. If you're applying on the UK ETA app for someone travelling with you, you can do that directly in the app; if you're applying for someone who isn't with you, you'll need their passport photo and a face photo, and must apply online rather than through the app.
Don't travel before you get the confirmation email
You must wait until you receive an email confirming your ETA has been granted before you travel to Heathrow. If you haven't heard back after 3 working days, check your spam or junk folder before contacting UK Visas and Immigration; they can't help with ETA queries over the phone, but you can use webchat. Your ETA is linked electronically to the passport you applied with, so you only need to show that same passport when you arrive at Heathrow; there's no separate document or sticker to print.
An ETA doesn't guarantee entry
Holding an approved ETA means you're authorised to travel to the UK; it doesn't guarantee a Border Force officer will let you in once you land at Heathrow. You can still be refused entry at the border in the same way you could with a visa, so make sure the rest of your documentation, such as proof of onward travel or accommodation if asked, is in order too.
How this fits with other Heathrow entry requirements
An ETA is separate from any passport validity rules for travel to Europe afterwards, and separate from the EU's own ETIAS scheme for UK travellers heading the other way. If your trip to Heathrow is the first leg of a wider European trip, see our guide to passport validity rules for travel to Europe and our ETIAS guide for UK travellers for what applies on the way back out.
FAQs
Do I need an ETA to fly into Heathrow?
Most visitors do, unless you hold a British or Irish passport or already have permission to live, work or study in the UK. It applies to most travellers from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada and other visa-exempt countries.
How much does a UK ETA cost and how long is it valid?
£20 per person, with no refund once you apply. It's valid for up to 6 months and allows multiple entries during that time.
How long does an ETA application take to be approved?
Usually within a day, though it can take up to 3 working days. You must wait for the confirmation email before travelling; check spam or junk folders if you haven't heard back after 3 working days.
Do children need their own ETA to fly into Heathrow?
Yes. Every traveller, including babies, needs their own individual ETA. You can apply on behalf of children travelling with you.
Do I need an ETA if I'm only transiting through Heathrow?
Yes, if you're passing through UK border control (a "landside" transit) before your next flight. Check with your airline if you're not sure whether your connection stays airside.
Does having an ETA guarantee I'll be allowed into the UK?
No. An ETA authorises you to travel to the UK, but a Border Force officer still makes the final decision on entry when you arrive, the same as under the visa system it replaced for most visitors.