UK ETA Cost: What You'll Pay & Why It's Worth Using an Application Service

Planning a trip to the UK? Before you fly, you'll need an Electronic Travel Authorisation. Here's exactly what it costs, what you get, and why thousands of travellers choose to use an application service rather than going it alone.

The Official UK ETA Fee

The UK government charges £20 per person. That fee applies to every traveller regardless of age — children and infants included. There are no family discounts. Each traveller regardless of age requires an ETA permit to enter the U.K. The fee is non-refundable, whether your application is approved or refused.

What's Included

Once approved, your ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. During that time you can enter the UK as many times as you like, with each stay lasting up to six months. It covers tourism, business visits, family trips, short-term study, and airport transit. There's no physical document — everything is linked digitally to your passport.

Why the DIY Route Carries Risk

Applying directly through GOV.UK costs £20 and works fine if every detail is entered correctly. The problem is that the application requires precise passport information, the right travel purpose, a compliant photo, and accurate personal details. Any error can result in a refusal — with no refund.

If that refusal is discovered just before your fligh, you're looking at a missed flight, emergency rebooking costs, and potentially a cancelled trip. For most travellers, that risk easily runs into hundreds of pounds if not considerably more.

What ETA Permits Charges & What You Get

At ETA Permits we charge £65 per person. That includes a full review of your application before anything is submitted, passport and document error-checking, photo compliance verification, correct categorisation of your travel purpose, and dedicated support from application through to approval.

If your trip costs £500, £800, or more in flights and accommodation, £65 to have your ETA checked and submitted correctly by someone who does this every day is straightforward value. You're not paying for a form — you're paying to remove the risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do children need their own ETA? Yes. Every traveller needs an individual ETA, including infants.

How quickly is it approved? Most applications are approved within minutes. Apply at least three working days before departure.

Do I need a new ETA for every trip? No. Your ETA covers two years of unlimited entries on a single application.

Is the fee going up again? The fee rose from £16 to £20 in April 2026 and is kept under review by the Home Office. Applying sooner avoids any future increases.

Apply Through ETA Permits

Our team reviews every application before it's submitted, so you travel knowing everything is correct.