UK ETA vs UK Visa
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This guide explains the difference between the UK ETA and a UK visa. Travellers from visa-exempt countries visiting for a short stay generally require an ETA rather than a visa.
ETA and visa at a glance
UK ETA | UK Visa | |
|---|---|---|
What it is | A digital travel authorisation linked to your passport | Formal permission to enter for a specific purpose or longer stay |
Who it is for | Visa-exempt travellers on short visits | Travellers who are not visa-exempt, or staying longer term |
How you apply | Fully online, no appointment needed | Often involves an application centre and biometrics |
Typical use | Tourism, business visits, visiting family, transit | Work, study, settlement, or longer stays |
Length of stay | Up to 6 months per visit | Depends on the visa category |
Validity | Around 2 years or until your passport expires | Set by the specific visa |
Which one do you need?
When an ETA is appropriate
An ETA is generally the correct authorisation if you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you are visiting the UK for tourism, business, family, or transit, and your stay is no longer than six months.
When a visa is required
A visa is required if you intend to work, study long term, or settle in the UK, if your stay will exceed six months, or if your nationality is not on the visa-exempt list. An ETA is not sufficient in these cases.
To confirm eligibility, review the full list of eligible countries before applying. This service assists visa-exempt travellers applying for the ETA.
Who cannot use an ETA
British and Irish citizens
If you hold British or Irish citizenship, you do not need and cannot use an ETA. Your citizenship already gives you the right to enter the UK.
Travellers with existing UK status
If you already have permission to live, work, or study in the UK, such as a visa or settled status, you travel on that status rather than an ETA.
Visa nationals
Citizens of countries not on the eligible list cannot use an ETA. These travellers must apply for the appropriate UK visa for their trip.
Longer or different-purpose stays
An ETA is for short visits of up to six months for permitted purposes. If you intend to work long term, study long term, or settle in the UK, you need a visa instead.
Common situations and what they need
The purpose and length of your stay determine which authorisation is correct. These are the situations we see most often:
- A two-week holiday, visiting family, or sightseeing: an ETA is the correct route
- Business meetings, conferences, or contract negotiations: an ETA covers these visitor activities
- A short course of study lasting under six months: permitted under an ETA
- Transiting the United Kingdom on the way to another country: an ETA is required for visa-exempt travellers
- Paid employment for a UK employer: requires a work visa in the appropriate category
- A course of study longer than six months: requires a student visa
- Moving to the UK to live with family or settle: requires the relevant settlement route
- Any stay intended to exceed six months: requires a visa regardless of purpose
If you are still not sure
Nationality is the starting point: the ETA is available only to travellers from the 85 visa-exempt nationalities. If you hold two passports, the requirement is assessed against the passport you travel on, so apply with the passport you will present at the border.
If your circumstances include a criminal record or a previous refusal of entry to the United Kingdom, review the eligibility questions before applying. Applicants in this position sometimes choose a Standard Visitor visa instead, because it allows fuller circumstances to be set out and considered.
Apply for a UK ETA
If your visit qualifies for an ETA, you may begin your application at any time.