{"id":2196,"date":"2026-05-31T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etavisauk.org\/?p=2196"},"modified":"2026-10-25T20:02:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-25T20:02:39","slug":"uk-eta-cost-uk-electronic-travel-authorisation-fee-2026-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etavisauk.org\/en\/uk-eta-cost-uk-electronic-travel-authorisation-fee-2026-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"UK ETA Cost 2026 \u2014 Electronic Travel Authorisation Fee Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What is the UK ETA cost in 2026?<\/h2>\n

The UK ETA cost in 2026 is a flat \u00a320 per applicant, the fee that has applied since 8 April 2026 (previously \u00a316). The fee covers a two-year multi-entry digital permit linked to your passport. Children pay the same \u00a320 as adults, and there are no expedited or concession rates.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, the \u00a320 fee is non-refundable on refusal \u2014 that includes failed photo retries that exhaust the application. Indeed, the fee is close to the \u20ac20 planned for the EU ETIAS, which has no confirmed launch date yet. Official UK ETA guidance on gov.uk<\/a> confirms the price.<\/p>\n

However, family applications add up. Specifically, a family of four pays \u00a380 total. Each person has their own application and fee, so there is no family discount.<\/p>\n

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What’s actually included in the \u00a320<\/h2>\n

Specifically, the \u00a320 covers: passport linking, biometric photo storage, eligibility decision, two-year permit validity, and unlimited multi-entry travel with stays of up to 6 months each visit. The fee is not refundable for any reason after submission.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moreover, the \u00a320 covers Home Office processing only \u2014 it does not include passport renewal, photo printing, currency conversion, travel insurance, or any third-party services. In the official UK ETA app, you can retake your photo before you submit your application.<\/p>\n

Therefore, beware sites charging \u00a330 to \u00a380 for “expedited” ETA services. UK Home Office fraud warning<\/a> advises avoiding websites that imitate government services, but no official list of known scam websites is published.<\/p>\n

UK ETA cost vs other travel authorisations 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Authorisation<\/th>\nCost (2026)<\/th>\nValidity<\/th>\nVisa-exempt countries covered<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
UK ETA<\/td>\n\u00a320 ($25)<\/td>\n2 years<\/td>\n70+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
US ESTA<\/td>\n$40.27<\/td>\n2 years<\/td>\n40 (VWP)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Canadian eTA<\/td>\nC$7<\/td>\n5 years<\/td>\n50+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Australian ETA<\/td>\nA$20<\/td>\n1 year<\/td>\n32<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
EU ETIAS (launch date not yet set)<\/td>\n\u20ac20<\/td>\n3 years<\/td>\n60+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Payment methods accepted in 2026<\/h2>\n

As a result, the UK ETA app and gov.uk web form accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Credit and debit cards are both accepted, and the app also takes JCB cards. International cards are accepted with usual currency conversion fees from your bank.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, payment errors usually mean a 3D Secure check failed. Indeed, if your bank declines the card, you can also pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay. Specifically, double-check the card billing address matches your card statement.<\/p>\n

However, fee paid with non-UK cards may show \u00a320 in your statement plus a small currency conversion fee from your bank, typically 1-3%. UK government services<\/a> charge a single \u00a320 transaction.<\/p>\n

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Hidden charges and what to avoid<\/h2>\n

Notably, the only legitimate UK ETA cost is \u00a320. Any site quoting \u00a330, \u00a345 or \u00a380 is either a third-party agency adding markup or an outright scam. Stick to gov.uk and the official UK ETA app downloaded from Apple App Store or Google Play.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, “express” or “VIP” services are not real \u2014 UKVI does not offer expedited processing for ETAs. Indeed, the standard 3-day window applies to all applications equally. Specifically, paying more cannot speed it up.<\/p>\n

However, there are no airport kiosks for retaking an ETA photo: you must be granted an ETA before you travel, and in the app you can retake your photo before you submit. UK Home Office statistics<\/a> do not show what share of refusals is photo-related. If your photo does not meet the rules, your application may be delayed or rejected, and you would need to apply again.<\/p>\n

Family budget planning: ETA fees and beyond<\/h2>\n

Therefore, a family of four budgeting a UK trip should expect: \u00a380 in ETA fees (\u00a320 per person), plus travel insurance and any currency conversion fees charged by your bank.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, fees compound for couples planning multiple short UK trips over two years. Indeed, the \u00a320 ETA covers unlimited entries during validity, so frequent visitors get great value. Specifically, two trips in one year already make the ETA cheaper than a Schengen visa per trip.<\/p>\n

Moreover, refused applications mean re-paying \u00a320 \u2014 so quality photo first time matters. VisitBritain statistics<\/a> show 41 million annual visitors to the UK.<\/p>\n

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How the ETA fee compares globally<\/h2>\n

As a result, the UK ETA at \u00a320 is cheaper than the US ESTA but not the cheapest scheme overall. The closest comparators: US ESTA at $40.27, Canadian eTA at C$7, Australian ETA at A$20, NZ NZeTA at NZ$23, and the upcoming EU ETIAS at \u20ac20.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, the global trend is towards \u00a315-\u00a325 digital authorisations replacing physical visa stamps. Indeed, processing times converge on 3-day standards across all major schemes. Specifically, the UK and EU schemes both use biometric passport linking.<\/p>\n

However, the UK and EU schemes do not interoperate \u2014 entering the UK requires a separate UK ETA from any future EU ETIAS. UK ETA scheme<\/a> remains independent of Schengen.<\/p>\n

How the \u00a320 fee may change in future<\/h2>\n

Indeed, the UK Home Office has not signalled any further fee increase for 2026. Specifically, the \u00a320 price was set in April 2026 and remains stable. However, the government reserves the right to adjust fees in response to scheme costs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, comparison with the EU ETIAS launch (\u20ac20, launch date not yet set) suggests the UK may eventually align prices upwards. Indeed, the US ESTA fee rose from $21 to $40 on 30 September 2025 and to $40.27 on 1 January 2026.<\/p>\n

Moreover, fees are kept under regular review rather than on a fixed annual timetable. Heathrow Airport handled 83.9 million passengers in 2024 (Heathrow Airport, 2024). UK government<\/a> sets immigration and ETA fees by regulations laid before Parliament, not in Budget statements.<\/p>\n

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Practical tips for paying the UK ETA fee<\/h2>\n

Each traveller, including babies and children, needs their own ETA, and each application costs \u00a320. You can pay by credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Furthermore, you can apply on behalf of other people, but you can only use the app if the person is with you; otherwise apply online. Moreover, keep your confirmation email: if you contact UKVI about an ETA (by webchat only, not by phone), you will need the 16-digit ETA reference number it contains.<\/p>\n

The \u00a320 single-applicant fee scales linearly: \u00a340 couple, \u00a360 trio, \u00a380 quartet.<\/p>\n

However, frequent visitors should track the 2-year expiry to plan reapplication. Indeed, the ETA is not auto-renewed \u2014 you must initiate a fresh application with another \u00a320.<\/p>\n

Related UK Travel Guides for ETA Visitors<\/h2>\n