UK ETA Eligible Countries: Complete List 2026

Last updated: 19 October 2026

Which Countries Need a UK ETA in 2026?

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation is required for citizens of all visa-exempt countries who wish to visit the United Kingdom. It has been required since 8 January 2025 for non-European nationals and since 2 April 2025 for Europeans, and since 25 February 2026 it has been strictly enforced: without a valid ETA (or other UK permission), carriers will not let you board a plane, ferry or train to the UK.

The ETA costs £20, is valid for 2 years, allows multiple entries, and each visit can last up to 6 months. You apply through the official UK ETA app or at gov.uk.

Below is the complete list of countries whose citizens require a UK ETA, organised by region, as well as key categories of people who are exempt.

European Countries Requiring a UK ETA

Since 2 April 2025, all EU and EEA citizens (except Irish citizens) need an ETA to visit the UK. This was one of the most significant expansions of the system. For a detailed guide on how this affects EU travellers, see our EU citizens ETA guide.

EU Member States

Country	ETA Required
Austria	Yes
Belgium	Yes
Bulgaria	Yes
Croatia	Yes
Cyprus	Yes
Czech Republic (Czechia)	Yes
Denmark	Yes
Estonia	Yes
Finland	Yes
France	Yes
Germany	Yes
Greece	Yes
Hungary	Yes
Ireland	No – Exempt (CTA)
Italy	Yes
Latvia	Yes
Lithuania	Yes
Luxembourg	Yes
Malta	Yes
Netherlands	Yes
Poland	Yes
Portugal	Yes
Romania	Yes
Slovakia	Yes
Slovenia	Yes
Spain	Yes
Sweden	Yes

Travelling from Czechia? A separate guide written in Czech, ETA do UK pro cestovatele z Česka, explains the rules for Czech passport holders, including why a Czech ID card is no longer enough to enter the UK.

EEA and Other European Countries

Country	ETA Required
Iceland	Yes
Liechtenstein	Yes
Norway	Yes
Switzerland	Yes
Andorra	Yes
Monaco	Yes
San Marino	Yes
Vatican City	Yes

Americas

Country	ETA Required
United States	Yes
Canada	Yes
Mexico	Yes
Argentina	Yes
Brazil	Yes
Chile	Yes
Colombia	Yes
Costa Rica	Yes
Guatemala	Yes
Honduras	Yes
Nicaragua	Yes
Panama	Yes
Paraguay	Yes
Peru	Yes
Uruguay	Yes
Antigua and Barbuda	Yes
Bahamas	Yes
Barbados	Yes
Belize	Yes
Dominica	Yes
Grenada	Yes
Guyana	Yes
Saint Kitts and Nevis	Yes
Saint Lucia	Yes
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Yes
Trinidad and Tobago	Yes

Asia-Pacific

Country	ETA Required
Australia	Yes
New Zealand	Yes
Japan	Yes
South Korea	Yes
Singapore	Yes
Malaysia	Yes
Hong Kong (SAR)	Yes
Macao (SAR)	Yes
Taiwan	Yes
Brunei	Yes
Fiji	Yes
Kiribati	Yes
Marshall Islands	Yes
Micronesia	Yes
Nauru	Yes
Palau	Yes
Papua New Guinea	Yes
Samoa	Yes
Solomon Islands	Yes
Timor-Leste	Yes
Tonga	Yes
Tuvalu	Yes
Vanuatu	Yes
Maldives	Yes

Middle East

Country	ETA Required
United Arab Emirates	Yes
Saudi Arabia	Yes
Qatar	Yes
Kuwait	Yes
Bahrain	Yes
Oman	Yes
Israel	Yes
Jordan	Yes

Africa

Country	ETA Required
South Africa	Yes
Botswana	Yes
Mauritius	Yes
Namibia	Yes
Seychelles	Yes

Countries That Need a Visa (Not ETA)

Citizens of the following countries (among others) are not visa-exempt and therefore need a Standard Visitor Visa (£135 for visits of up to 6 months since 8 April 2026, previously £127) to enter the UK. They cannot use the ETA system:

Country	Requirement
India	Visa required
Pakistan	Visa required
Bangladesh	Visa required
Nigeria	Visa required
Ghana	Visa required
Kenya	Visa required
Philippines	Visa required
Indonesia	Visa required
Vietnam	Visa required
Thailand	Visa required
China	Visa required
Russia	Visa required
Turkey	Visa required
Egypt	Visa required
Iran	Visa required
Iraq	Visa required
Sri Lanka	Visa required
Nepal	Visa required
Morocco	Visa required
Algeria	Visa required

This is not an exhaustive list. If your country is not listed in the ETA-eligible tables above, you most likely need a visa. Check the UK government website for your specific nationality.

Who Is Exempt From the UK ETA?

Even if your nationality normally requires an ETA, you are exempt if you fall into any of these categories:

British Citizens

British citizens (including those with British Citizen passports) do not need an ETA to enter their own country.

Irish Citizens

Irish citizens are exempt under the Common Travel Area agreement between the UK and Ireland. No ETA is needed regardless of how they enter the UK.

Existing UK Visa Holders

If you already hold a valid UK visa of any type (visitor, work, study, etc.), you do not need a separate ETA. Your visa serves as your travel authorisation.

Settled Status and Pre-Settled Status

People with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), settled status, or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme are exempt from the ETA requirement.

Frontier Workers

People with a valid Frontier Worker permit do not need an ETA, whatever the purpose of their trip.

Service Personnel

Members of visiting armed forces and NATO personnel travelling on official duty are exempt.

Transit Without Clearing Immigration

If you will pass through UK border control during your transit, you need an ETA. Passengers transiting airside at Heathrow or Manchester without going through passport control do not currently need one – this is a temporary exemption that is kept under review. See our transit rules guide for details.

How to Apply for a UK ETA

The application process is the same regardless of your nationality:

1. Download the UK ETA app (iOS or Android) or visit gov.uk
2. Provide your passport details and a photo of your face
3. Answer suitability questions (criminal convictions, any involvement in war crimes, terrorism or extremism, etc.)
4. Pay the £20 fee
5. Receive your decision – most people get a decision within minutes, but allow up to 3 working days

For a full walkthrough with screenshots, see our step-by-step UK ETA application guide. For photo tips, check our UK ETA photo requirements guide.

What If Your Country Is Not Listed?

If you cannot find your country in the tables above, there are two possibilities:

1. You need a visa – your country is not visa-exempt, and you must apply for a Standard Visitor Visa (or another appropriate visa type) through a UK visa application centre.
2. You hold a special passport – some countries have different requirements depending on the type of passport you hold (ordinary vs. diplomatic vs. service passport). Check the UK government website for your specific passport type.

ETA vs. Visa: Key Differences

Feature	UK ETA	Standard Visitor Visa
Cost	£20	£135+
Processing time	Minutes to 3 working days	Usually 3 weeks
Validity	2 years	Up to 6 months (longer available)
Application method	App or online	Online + visa centre visit
Biometrics	Photo via app	Fingerprints at visa centre
Multiple entries	Yes	Yes
Maximum stay per visit	6 months	6 months
Work permitted	No	No (visitor only)

Important Notes for 2026

• The ETA has been required since 8 January 2025 (non-European nationals) and 2 April 2025 (Europeans), and has been strictly enforced since 25 February 2026 (“no permission, no travel”)
• Airlines, ferry companies, and rail operators check ETA status before boarding
• Each traveller needs their own ETA, including children – see our children and families guide
• Your ETA is linked to your passport – if you get a new passport, you need a new ETA
• The ETA does not guarantee entry – UK Border Force makes the final decision at the border

Frequently Asked Questions

I have dual nationality. Which passport should I use for the ETA?

Use the passport you plan to travel with. Your ETA is linked to a specific passport. If one of your nationalities is British or Irish, you do not need an ETA at all – just travel on that passport.

My country recently became visa-exempt. Do I need an ETA now?

Yes. Any country that is visa-exempt for short visits to the UK requires an ETA. If your country’s visa status changed recently, you should apply for an ETA before travelling.

I am a permanent resident of a visa-exempt country but my citizenship is from a visa-required country. Do I need a visa or an ETA?

Your ETA or visa requirement is based on your citizenship (passport), not your country of residence. If your passport is from a visa-required country, you need a visa regardless of where you live.

Will the list of eligible countries change?

Possibly. The UK government periodically reviews which countries are visa-exempt. Countries can be added to or removed from the visa-exempt list based on diplomatic, security, and immigration considerations. Always check the current list before travelling.

Key Takeaways

• 85+ countries require a UK ETA for visa-exempt travel
• All EU and EEA citizens (except Irish) need an ETA since April 2025
• The ETA costs £20 and is valid for 2 years
• Citizens of countries like India, China, Nigeria, and Pakistan need a visa, not an ETA
• British citizens, Irish citizens, and existing visa/status holders are exempt
• Your requirement is based on your passport/citizenship, not residence
• Apply through the official UK ETA app or gov.uk only

Additional travel preparation essentials

Before you travel, double-check three practical points that often catch first-time UK ETA applicants by surprise. First, confirm your passport’s validity: UK border officials verify that your passport will remain valid for the duration of your intended stay, and your ETA ends when your passport expires. Second, prepare your accommodation address: even though the ETA application does not require a hotel reservation, border officers may ask where you’ll be staying, so have a confirmation email or address ready on your phone. Third, carry proof of onward or return travel: a printed flight itinerary or train ticket showing you’ll leave the UK within the permitted 6-month window helps avoid unnecessary questioning at passport control.

Frequently asked questions

How long does ETA approval usually take?

Most applications are approved within minutes to a few hours, though the UK Home Office advises allowing up to 3 working days for processing. Apply at least 3 working days before your flight, and earlier if you can, in case your application needs further review. Last-minute applications may be approved in time, but if there’s any delay you risk being denied boarding, so don’t leave it to the final 24 hours unless absolutely necessary.

What documents should I keep accessible during my trip?

Always carry your passport (in original, not photocopy), the ETA approval email printed or saved offline on your phone, proof of accommodation for your first night, return travel confirmation, and a backup payment method. While the ETA is digitally linked to your passport (no separate document needed), having the approval email accessible can resolve disputes quickly if border systems are temporarily slow or offline.

Where can I check the latest UK ETA policy updates?

The official UK government ETA portal is the only authoritative source for fees, eligible nationalities, and procedural changes. Other websites may charge more than the official £20 fee and may show outdated information, so avoid sites that imitate government services.