UK ETA in 2026: Full Enforcement, GBP 20 Fee, 84 Countries (May Update)
May 15, 2026 · 7 min read
Two big things changed for the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in early 2026: full enforcement began on 25 February, and the fee was raised to GBP 20 on 8 April. If you are planning a UK trip from any of the 84+ visa-exempt countries, both updates affect your paperwork. Here is the practical summary.
What changed
- 25 February 2026: Full ETA enforcement for visitors from the affected countries. Airlines and ferry operators are required to deny boarding to passengers without a valid ETA. The grace period that preceded full enforcement ended on this date.
- 8 April 2026: The ETA fee increased from GBP 16 to GBP 20 per applicant. This is the second increase since launch (originally GBP 10, raised to GBP 16 in April 2025).
- ETA validity remains 2 years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first. Multiple UK trips of up to 6 months each are allowed within that window.
- The application channel remains the official GOV.UK ETA mobile app. Third-party "agents" charging GBP 50-100 are unnecessary and often a scam.
Who is affected
The ETA requirement now applies to roughly 84 visa-exempt nationalities. The main affected travelers include:
- North America: United States, Canada
- Asia-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan
- Gulf: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Israel
- Europe (EU and EEA): added in phases from April 2025 onward
- Plus selected nationalities from Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean
Who does not need an ETA: citizens of approximately 100 countries that still require a full UK Standard Visitor visa — including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Indonesia, Russia, China, Philippines, Vietnam, and most of Africa. These applicants book a biometric appointment at VFS Global in their country, submit a physical 35×45mm photo, and pay the higher Standard Visitor visa fee (currently GBP 115 for a 6-month single-entry).
The selfie step (often missed)
Unlike US ESTA or EU ETIAS, the UK ETA does not accept a pre-existing photo upload. The GOV.UK ETA mobile app captures a live selfie at the moment of application. Practical implications:
- You cannot prepare the photo in advance, but you should prepare yourself: plain background (light wall or curtain), neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, no glasses, head centered, face filling 70-80% of the frame.
- The same biometric rules apply as for a UK passport photo (35×45mm format internally). A failed selfie requires re-take, and repeated failures can delay approval beyond the recommended 3-day buffer.
- You can run a practice photo through IDPhotoSnap (free, browser-only) to verify head position, face proportions, lighting, and background before opening the GOV.UK app — same biometric spec, no fee, no commitment.
Two practical examples
Example 1 — US citizen flying to London in July 2026. Apply for ETA at least 3 days before travel via the GOV.UK ETA app. Take the live selfie when prompted. Pay GBP 20 by card. Approval typically arrives within minutes. The ETA covers multiple trips for 2 years (or until your passport expires).
Example 2 — Indian citizen flying to London in July 2026. Apply for a Standard Visitor visa (not an ETA — India is not on the visa-exempt list). Book a biometric appointment at the nearest VFS Global centre (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Goa, Cochin). Bring 2 physical photos (35×45mm, cream or light grey background, ICAO 9303 compliant) and the biometric documents. Pay GBP 115. Decision time typically 3 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
When did UK ETA enforcement start?
Full enforcement of the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement began on 25 February 2026. From that date, eligible nationals from 84+ countries are not permitted to board flights or vessels to the UK without a valid ETA.
How much does the UK ETA cost in 2026?
The UK ETA fee is GBP 20 per applicant as of 8 April 2026. This is an increase from the previous GBP 16 (set April 2025) and the original GBP 10 at launch. Payment is via card in the GOV.UK ETA mobile app.
Which countries need a UK ETA in 2026?
As of 2026, citizens of approximately 84 visa-exempt countries need an ETA, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Israel, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, most of the EU and EEA, and others. Citizens of countries that require a full visitor visa (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Indonesia, Russia, China, Philippines, Vietnam, and most of Africa) do not need an ETA — they need a UK Standard Visitor visa instead.
Do I need a separate passport photo for the UK ETA application?
No. The UK ETA application happens through the official GOV.UK ETA mobile app, which captures a live selfie at the time of application. You do not upload a pre-existing photo file. However, the selfie must meet biometric standards (neutral expression, both eyes visible, no glasses, plain background, head centered) — a failed selfie requires re-takes and can delay approval. You can use IDPhotoSnap to verify your selfie meets the 35×45mm biometric spec before opening the ETA app.
How long is the UK ETA valid?
A granted UK ETA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires (whichever comes first). During the validity period you can make multiple trips to the UK for stays of up to 6 months each. If your passport expires before the 2-year window, you need a new ETA tied to the renewed passport.
What if I am from India, Pakistan, Nigeria, or a country that needs a full visa?
You need a UK Standard Visitor visa (not an ETA). This is a full visa application with a physical photo, a biometric appointment at VFS Global in your country, and a higher fee (GBP 115 for 6-month single-entry, or longer multi-entry options). The 35×45mm photo with cream or light grey background is the same biometric format as UK passport photos.
Related guides
- UK ETA: Do You Need a New Passport Photo? (Complete 2026 Guide)
- UK passport, visa, and ETA photo tool (35×45mm)
- UK Standard Visitor visa photo tool (for applicants outside the ETA-eligible list)
- UK BRP / eVisa photo tool (for foreign nationals already in the UK)
- EU Entry/Exit System (EES) — photo requirements
Free UK biometric photo check
Verify your photo meets the UK 35×45mm biometric spec before applying for ETA or visa. Free, browser-only, no upload.
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