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UK Home Office rule check · Verified 17 May 2026
Do I need a UK ETA for this trip?
Answer five questions. Get a stamped verdict in seconds.
How this checker decides
We model the UK Home Office decision tree as published on GOV.UK. Inputs are mapped against the ETA eligibility list, the airside transit exemption (active since 16 January 2025), the £16 → £20 fee change on 8 April 2026, and the dual-citizenship override for UK and Irish passport holders. Diplomatic and other special documents short-circuit to a manual GOV.UK check.
- Eligibility list
- GOV.UK guidance — Check when you can get an ETA
- Fee + validity
- Home Office ETA factsheet — April 2026
- Airside transit exemption
- UK drops ETA for airside transit (16 Jan 2025) — Lewis Silkin
- Edge cases handled
- Pre-scheme travel dates, fee-window crossing, airside-at-non-airside airports, dual UK/Irish passport advisory, diplomatic short-circuit, stale-data warning when our last verification is older than 90 days.
UK ETA — frequently asked questions
- Do US citizens need a UK ETA?
- Yes. US passport holders have needed a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation since 8 January 2025 for any trip that crosses the UK border — including landside transits at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and other UK airports. Apply on GOV.UK; the fee is £20.
- How much does a UK ETA cost in 2026?
- £20 from 8 April 2026 (previously £16). Apply directly on GOV.UK to pay the official price — never via a third-party reseller charging a surcharge.
- How long is a UK ETA valid for?
- Two years from the date it's issued, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. It allows multiple visits of up to 6 months each.
- Do I need a UK ETA for airside transit at Heathrow or Manchester?
- No. Since 16 January 2025 the Home Office grants a temporary exemption for passengers transiting airside (international-to-international, never crossing the UK border) at London Heathrow or Manchester. The exemption is explicitly temporary and under review — always verify on GOV.UK before booking.
- Do EU citizens need a UK ETA?
- Yes. EU and EEA nationals must have an ETA for trips to the UK from 2 April 2025 (applications opened 5 March 2025). Same £20 fee and 2-year validity as other nationalities.
- Do I need a UK ETA when arriving via Ireland (Common Travel Area)?
- Not if you're a legal resident of Ireland and your nationality doesn't normally need a UK visa — the Common Travel Area carve-out exempts you when entering the UK from Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, provided you can show proof of legal residency at the border.
- What if I have dual UK or Irish citizenship?
- You don't need an ETA. Travel on your UK or Irish passport — the ETA scheme does not apply to British or Irish citizens.
Not legal or immigration advice. The airside transit exemption is explicitly temporary and under Home Office review. Always verify on GOV.UK before booking or boarding.