{"id":1137,"date":"2026-04-18T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etavisauk.org\/en\/?p=1137"},"modified":"2026-04-10T20:27:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T20:27:40","slug":"uk-eta-vs-electronic-travel-authorisations-worldwide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etavisauk.org\/en\/uk-eta-vs-electronic-travel-authorisations-worldwide\/","title":{"rendered":"UK ETA vs Other Electronic Travel Authorisations Worldwide"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Rise of Electronic Travel Authorisations Around the World<\/h2>\n

Electronic travel authorisation systems are becoming the global standard for managing visa-free travel. Instead of requiring travellers from low-risk countries to obtain a full visa, these systems use a simple online application to screen visitors before they board their flight. The United Kingdom’s ETA is the newest member of this growing family of digital pre-screening programmes.<\/p>\n

This guide compares the UK ETA<\/strong> with every major electronic travel authorisation system worldwide, including the US ESTA, Canada eTA, Australia ETA, New Zealand NZeTA, and the upcoming EU ETIAS. Whether you are planning a multi-country trip or simply want to understand how the UK system compares, this comprehensive comparison has you covered.<\/p>\n

For detailed information about the UK ETA specifically, see our complete UK ETA 2026 guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"UK<\/figure>\n

Complete Comparison Table: All Electronic Travel Authorisations<\/h2>\n

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of every major electronic travel authorisation system currently operating or planned worldwide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Feature<\/th>\nUK ETA<\/th>\nUS ESTA<\/th>\nCanada eTA<\/th>\nAustralia ETA<\/th>\nNZ NZeTA<\/th>\nEU ETIAS<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Cost<\/strong><\/td>\n£16<\/td>\n$21 USD<\/td>\nC$7<\/td>\nA$20<\/td>\nNZ$17–23<\/td>\n€7 (planned)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Validity<\/strong><\/td>\n2 years<\/td>\n2 years<\/td>\n5 years<\/td>\n1 year<\/td>\n2 years<\/td>\n3 years (planned)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max stay per visit<\/strong><\/td>\n6 months<\/td>\n90 days<\/td>\n6 months<\/td>\n3 months<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n90 days in 180<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Multiple entries<\/strong><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes (planned)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Processing time<\/strong><\/td>\nMinutes to 72 hrs<\/td>\nMinutes to 72 hrs<\/td>\nMinutes to days<\/td>\nMinutes to 24 hrs<\/td>\nMinutes to 72 hrs<\/td>\nMinutes (planned)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Application method<\/strong><\/td>\nOnline \/ app<\/td>\nOnline<\/td>\nOnline<\/td>\nApp only<\/td>\nOnline \/ app<\/td>\nOnline (planned)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Launched<\/strong><\/td>\n2023 (phased)<\/td>\n2009<\/td>\n2015<\/td>\n2008 (revised 2023)<\/td>\n2019<\/td>\nExpected 2026\/2027<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Linked to passport<\/strong><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes (planned)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

UK ETA: The Newest System<\/h2>\n

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation was introduced in phases starting with Qatar in October 2023. It expanded to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in February 2024, then to all non-European visa-exempt nationals in January 2025, and finally to European nationals in April 2025. Full enforcement began on 25 February 2026.<\/p>\n

Key features of the UK ETA:<\/p>\n