Do I need a UK ETA? Check in 1 minute

Last updated 29 October 2026

If you hold an ETA-eligible (non-visa) nationality, you almost always need a UK ETA when you travel to the United Kingdom for a holiday, to visit family or friends, or for a business trip. Exemptions include British and Irish citizens, people with a valid UK visa, eVisa or status such as EUSS, residents of Ireland travelling from Ireland, and airside transit passengers. Answer the questions below and you will see straight away whether an exemption applies to you.

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Other people may also not need an ETA, including British overseas territories citizens (BOTC) passport holders and British National (Overseas) passport holders, people with permission to live, work or study in Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, children travelling on the France–UK school trip travel document, and people exempt from immigration control. Check the full list on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/eta/when-not-need-eta

Summary: when do you need an ETA?

  • You need an ETA if you hold an ETA-eligible (non-visa) nationality and travel to the United Kingdom, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for a holiday, to visit family or friends, for a business trip or a short study. This also applies to children and babies.
  • You do not need an ETA if you are a British citizen. You cannot even get an ETA: travel with a British passport (or another passport with a certificate of entitlement).
  • You do not need an ETA if you are an Irish citizen travelling with your Irish passport, including if you also hold another nationality.
  • You do not need an ETA if you have a valid UK visa, eVisa, settled or pre-settled status, or a pending EUSS application.
  • You do not need an ETA if you live in Ireland and travel to the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man. From the age of 16 you need proof that you live in Ireland.
  • You do not need an ETA if you are transiting airside and not passing UK border control (check with your airline).
  • An ETA is not enough if you want to work, study for a long period or stay longer than 6 months. In that case you need a visa.

These rules are based on the GOV.UK pages When you do not need an ETA and What you can and cannot do with an ETA. Special cases are explained in more detail in our guides who needs a UK ETA and the full list of exemptions.

Remember your passport: the ETA is linked to the passport you travel with, so apply using that passport. Some travellers can enter with other documents in limited cases, such as settled or pre-settled status, an EUSS family permit or a Frontier Worker permit (GOV.UK). When you need to apply and how long your ETA stays valid is something you can work out with the ETA planner.

Questions about needing an ETA

Do I need an ETA if I travel from Ireland to Northern Ireland?

Yes, unless you are an Irish citizen or you live in Ireland. Ireland does not take part in the ETA system, but anyone travelling on from Ireland to Northern Ireland or another part of the UK does need an ETA – even though there are no systematic checks at the land border.

Do I need an ETA for the Eurostar or the ferry?

Yes. The ETA does not depend on the means of transport. Since 25 February 2026 airlines and other carriers must check that passengers have permission to travel, so you cannot board without an ETA (UK Parliament, statement HCWS1361).

Does an ETA guarantee that I can enter the UK?

No. An ETA is permission to travel, but the border officer decides at the border whether you may enter (GOV.UK).

Are my answers stored?

No. The check runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are not sent to us or to anyone else.

etavisauk.org is an independent information site and not a UK government website. Official application: gov.uk/eta/apply.