The United Kingdom requires an electronic visa for all travelers since January 2025 (as will the European Union later this year). The application process is very simple, like almost all electronic visas. But to help you, we’ll look at everything you need to know about the United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation (UK ETA).
Yes, they don’t call it an electronic visa (eVisa), but an electronic travel authorization is the same thing: you need to apply for permission to enter before you check in for your flight.
(The EU calls it that, too. Theirs is not yet open for applications and doesn’t even have an official start date, so you can relax for now. In theory, it shouldn’t be for many months. We’ll let you know as soon as something is announced; sign up for our free newsletter to never miss an important travel update!)
Here are the details of the United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation (UK ETA).
Overview of the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (UK ETA)
It sucks when countries add obstacles to travel… but at least the upside is that maybe, finally, all travelers will understand that checking a country’s entry requirements is literally the only mandatory step to be able to travel.
Again, it’s literally the only thing you can’t skip, or you’ll be denied boarding! In the UK’s case, at least most transits have just been excluded from the requirement (barely a week after the rule’s launch).
Here are the basics of the UK ETA in a useful infographic.

Here’s the text version:
- Requirement now in effect
- Since January 8, 2025
- For foreigners entering the United Kingdom
- Excluding transits (if you aren’t going through customs)
- For all citizens of visa-exempt countries
- Canadians, Americans, and many others
- EU citizens (starting on April 2, 2025)
- Must be obtained before checking in for your flight
- As with all visas and electronic visas
- This is not a visa on arrival
- Application can take around 3 days to process
- But should be faster (and could be slower)
- Valid for 2 years (if your passport remains valid)
- For multiple trips (unlimited entries)
- Allows you to spend 6 months in the country
- No rule changes for longer stays or non-tourism trips
- Costs £10
- That’s $12
- Can be obtained on the official app or website
- Beware of the common visa facilitation scams
And just to be clear, the United Kingdom has 4 constituent “countries”: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They share the same entry requirements, so the UK ETA applies to all 4!

It’s worth noting that Canada and the U.S. also require electronic travel authorisation for British citizens. So this new requirement does make sense, even though reciprocity rules don’t always make sense (because the reality is that, whether we like it or not, different citizenships aren’t all worth the same migration-wise; the facts don’t care about your feelings).
It’s not like they will change their mind now, anyway. So get onboard if you want to go to the UK (or the EU soon), as you don’t have much of a choice!
Let’s take a look at the most important aspects of the UK ETA.
When does the UK ETA requirement start?
The entry requirement applies to all those entering the country since January 8, 2025.
The UK ETA was already required for citizens of certain Middle Eastern countries but not for Canadians or Americans. For EU citizens, the requirement only applies from April 2, 2025.
Do I need to apply for the UK ETA?
It’s quite simple. You need the UK ETA if you are entering the United Kingdom. That means all trips, except if you’re in transit and your transit doesn’t require you to go through customs (that is a little less simple; see the transit section).
You’re only exempt if:
- You are British or Irish (including British Overseas Territories citizens)
- You are living in Ireland (and traveling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man)
- You have a UK visa (or a separate permission to stay, work or study)
There are no exceptions for children or babies. Every traveler needs a UK ETA.
Where do I apply for the UK ETA?
You can now apply on the official UK ETA app or website.
So many people overpay by using the infamous “fake” visa websites. Those services charge you extra to complete the visa application for you. They make inexperienced travelers think they’re on the official visa application website; that’s surprisingly easy to do with people who don’t know that the first results in Google are paid placements.
It’s a scam: you don’t need help. You’d simply be filling out a form on their website instead of filling it out on the right website. If you’re able to read this post today, you’re able to fill out the very basic form required for almost any visa in the world.
You just need to fill out the form on the official government website. Read the form and enter the required information. It’s (usually) not that hard to check if a website is the official government website… you just need to take the time to check.
You can’t get a UK ETA for multiple travelers on the same form; a separate application must be filled out for each traveler. You can fill it out for someone else, it’s just that it has to be on a separate application.
How do I apply for the UK ETA?
As mentioned, it’s very simple: just fill out the form.
Photos of your face and passport are required, so it’s easier to apply on the app.
You also need to have an email address, but I genuinely don’t think someone can survive in 2025 without one. If you’ve managed to do so, ask a loved one for their email address (and congrats, seriously, that’s impressive).
How long does it take to get the UK ETA?
They say the approval will be within 3 working days.
In practice, for Canadian citizens with a “normal” profile, it will likely be much faster than that, maybe even instantaneous. We’ll see.
As always, though, they reserve the right to take longer. Of course. It’s their country; they’re never obliged to let anyone in. They say it can “occasionally” take more than 3 days. The odds are that it won’t take longer for 99% of travelers, more specifically, all travelers with nothing special in their profile.
How long is the UK ETA valid for?
You can use the UK ETA for a period of 2 years, or until you change your passport if that happens before 2 years.
You can use it for multiple trips; you do not need to get a new UK ETA for each trip.
Once your UK ETA has expired, you can simply get a new one, assuming this requirement still exists at that time.
What is the cost of the UK ETA?
The UK ETA costs $12 (10). It sucks to have to pay for the privilege of spending your hard-earned money and points in a country, but it’s a pretty insignificant amount, at least.
Well, it’s a third of the cost of a full day of travel expenses in affordable countries… but the UK isn’t one of them, obviously. So, if you’re going to the UK, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to what your trip will cost you, innit? Same if you’re connecting there to any other Western/Northern/Southern European country.
As with pretty much all visa fees, it’s not refundable (not even if you were to be denied). The price is for the visa application, not for the visa itself.
The government has already proposed increasing the fee to $20 (16); we’ll follow this.
What is the best credit card to use to pay for the UK ETA?
The best card to use to pay for any expense is always a card on which you are unlocking a huge welcome bonus. ALWAYS!!! So simple.
That way you’ll earn 10%+ back instead of the pathetically terrible 1%-2% most people sadly earn on their purchases.
Here are the effective return rates on your purchases with the current best offers.
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WELCOME BONUS ( ![]() |
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Effective return rate: ≈ 5.3% back on $12,000 & lucrative pts |
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WELCOME BONUS ( ![]() |
ends June 3rd
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WELCOME BONUS ( ![]() |
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Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information. |
Best credit card offers (February 2025) |
WELCOME BONUS ( ![]() |
Effective return rate |
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Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 3 mos.
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Rewards: ≈ $1451
Card fee: $799
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≈ 6.5% back
on $10,000
& unlimited lounges
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extended ![]() |
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $5k in 6 months
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Rewards: $1025
Annual fee: $0 $139
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20.5% back
on $5,000
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Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 12 mos. (or $2k for lower bonus)
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Rewards: $775
Card fee: $120
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≈ 8.7% back
on $7,500
& simple points
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ends July 1st
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Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $12k in 12 mos. (incl. $7.5k in 180 days)†
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Rewards: ≈ $641
Annual fee: $0 $139
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≈ 5.3% back
on $12,000
& lucrative pts
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offer effective since January 7th
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Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $1k/mo for 12 mos.
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Rewards: ≈ $1180
Card fee: $250
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≈ 7.8% back
on $12,000
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NEW ![]() |
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 14 mos. (or $3k for lower bonus)
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Rewards: $1000
Card fee: $399
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6.0% back
on $10.000
& 10 lounge passes
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ends October 31st
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Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. + $1k
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Rewards: ≈ $540
Card fee: $120
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≈ 10.5% back
on $4,000
& lucrative pts
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NEW ![]() |
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $5k in 6 mos.
|
Rewards: ≈ $900
Card fee: $120
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≈ 15.6% back
on $5,000
& lucrative pts
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ends June 3rd
apply now |
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![]() |
Card: no business required
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
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Rewards: ≈ $713
Card fee: $199
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≈ 6.9% back
on $7,500
& lucrative pts
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Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information. |
(The rate varies a bit depending on the merchant category code for each specific purchase, but it’s just to show you the overall return rate at our Flytrippers Valuation — and how it’s not even in the same universe as what you are probably earning!)
And if you’re paying the UK ETA fee with almost any card in Canada, you’re not even earning 1%-2%!
Because you’re paying a 2.5% foreign transaction fee as the UK ETA is obviously billed in GBP!!!
That’s why you should always use your spending to unlock huge welcome bonuses — with the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card, you’re earning 20.5%, so that’s still an amazing 18% net earn rate even if you were to pay 2.5% in foreign transaction fees on 100% of the $5,000 minimum spending requirement (highly unlikely).
If you are not currently unlocking a huge welcome bonus, that’s a very bad idea, and you should really get started to earn free travel so much faster! But at the very least, get a free card with no foreign transaction fee — the EQ Bank Card (Prepaid Mastercard) is completely free and isn’t even a credit card (so no credit check), so every single Canadian traveler should have it with absolutely zero exceptions.
Which transits are excluded from the UK ETA?
At first, the requirement applied to transits as well. The new rules lasted for a whole week before the UK government realized that it wasn’t that smart to require the ETA for airside transits — which means transits where you don’t leave the secure airport area and don’t go through customs.
(Many countries require visas for transits for Canadians and Americans, but most have required it for a long time and didn’t suddenly change… and most don’t have extremely busy connecting hubs like the London airports!)
On January 16, the government scrapped the requirement for transits.
But beware: that doesn’t mean that your transit is necessarily excluded or that they won’t change the rules back to include transits.
First, let’s look at the different types of transits.
If you do like pro fliers do and therefore don’t have a checked bag AND are connecting on the same ticket in London-Heathrow (LHR) or Manchester (MAN), the ETA isn’t required. Other scenarios might require an ETA, though.
You’ll almost always need the UK ETA if you’re doing a self-transfer — one of the best ways to save money on plane tickets for almost everywhere in Europe, and one that often works with London as the transfer point. You should be giving yourself plenty of buffer time before your return flight to North America and take the time to at least visit London a bit anyway, so you’d need the ETA.
But even if you risk it with shorter connections, the 1st airline might not let you board to the UK with a separate ticket if you don’t have your boarding pass for the 2nd flight (which is possible, as online check-in sometimes doesn’t work), or even if you do. And then, you might not have time to apply for the ETA. Obviously, if you’re checking a bag with the self-transfer tip, you need the ETA.
You might need an ETA even if your connection is on the same ticket. If you bring a checked bag and transit in London-Heathrow (LHR) or Manchester (MAN), you may not need the ETA if your bag is checked through to your final destination.
But if it’s not checked through to your final destination (for example, in many cases if your itinerary has 2 different airlines), you’ll need to go through customs. This is yet another reason why pro fliers never fly with checked bags and why you should really be on team carry-on only.
If your transit is in any other airport except those 2, there are no transit facilities, so you’ll need to have the ETA.
Second, let’s look at the risk of another change.
In its release, the UK government said that excluding transits is “temporary” and that they will “review” this.
In practice, it would be surprising if they brought it back. But it’s certainly not impossible. Flytrippers will keep you informed of all updates; make sure to sign up for our free newsletter to get all our travel content (as 120,000+ savvy Canadian travelers already do).
Do I need to print out the UK ETA?
It’s 2025, so no. You don’t even need to have it on your phone; it’s linked to your passport.
Well, it’s true; some rare countries do require documents to be printed out, but not the UK (or almost all developed countries or most developing countries).
I know that many travelers still print out their flight confirmations; maybe they simply don’t know it’s not required. You really don’t need to print that ever. Just with your passport, they’ll find you. No phone required. Nothing required. You can relax.
It’s normal not to know if no one ever tells you, so I want to share travel basics like that so you can stop printing things needlessly. I can guarantee that if you have a valid confirmed plane ticket, you absolutely never need to print anything out for that. Ever. There’s no chance you’ll ever need it. Zero.
It’s really not necessary to print out most other documents, either. Assuming you have the 6 only travel items that are truly essential (specifically the portable charger to make sure you always have access to your phone).
For example, I have 2 testimonials from my recent round-the-world trip to get 1 million points.
I entered Vietnam, and they’re certainly not a very tech-savvy country: it’s a socialist republic that requires an electronic visa that takes 5 full days to process and has a pretty old-school form with a lot of info to provide, like my religion (sic). I didn’t print out the electronic visa, and it was fine.
I also used China’s visa-free transit for the first time. I thought about printing out the rules (for the airline staff) and my proof of onward travel (for the airline staff and immigration officer), but my laziness got the best of me. It was fine; the airline knew the rules (genuinely surprising!), and the immigration officer simply looked at my flight confirmation on my phone.
What does the UK ETA allow me to do?
There are absolutely no changes to other rules.
You are currently allowed to enter the United Kingdom for 6 months for these purposes:
- Transit
- Tourism
- Visiting friends/family
- Business
- Short-term study
- Creative Worker visa concession (3 months)
- Permitted paid engagement event
The only difference is that you now need the UK ETA to do that, whereas before, you didn’t need anything (as a Canadian or an American).
If you want to enter for any other purpose or for a longer length of time not allowed under the visa-free regime before the ETA addition, you still aren’t allowed to do that with the UK ETA.
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Summary
Since January 8, 2025, the UK requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation for all travelers from Canada and the U.S., except if you are only transiting and you don’t need to go through customs. At the cost of $12 (10) , this electronic visa will be valid for 2 years, and you can easily obtain it through their website or app. You need to do it before your flight check-in and don’t forget that the process can take up to 3 days, so don’t wait until the last minute to apply for it!
What would you like to know about the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (UK ETA)? Tell us in the comments below.
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Featured image: London, UK (photo credit: Rahul Chakraborty)
I believe I have carefully read all the information and I still do not understand if I need an ETA. Like hundreds of thousands of British Canadians, I am British but I do not have a current British passport because I travel on a Canadian passport. Can I take an out-of-date British passport as proof of my British citizenship? Please help. I was not able to find the connection to a live web chat person.
Hi, if you’re not traveling on a valid British passport, you are not considered British at all for the purposes of entry rules. You are Canadian and Canadians need the ETA, unfortunately. Or at least that’s what it seems to say.
I just did it using the iOS app. It scanned your passport chip and scanned your face, in addition to being finicky about taking a passport like photo. Easy payment with Apple Pay. But approval came in 15 minutes lol.
That’s very quick indeed. Thanks for the testimonial!
is thre any entrance requirements to visit Dublin Ireland?
Hi, our guide to entry rules has all the info on how to check, just so you develop that good habit on your own and become a self-reliant and independent pro traveler 🙂 You’ll need to know anyway, for every single trip in every single country 🙂
should I apply for the eta even if I’m not booked to go to the uk yet? I may have to go suddenly due to ailing relative…
If you want to be sure, the only way is to do it in advance yes, in case it really does take 3 days when you need it. The only downside is it will expire earlier, but that’s not the end of the world.