International students Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is advanced permission to travel to the UK. This can be applied for by nationals of certain countries. If you do not need a visa to visit the UK for short stays of up to 6 months, you may need an ETA.

The ETA is applied for before you travel to the UK. The ETA allows you to request permission to travel to the UK and request entry as a Standard Visitor for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, attending your graduation ceremony or for short-term study, such as attending resit exams.

From 25 February 2026, without an ETA you will not be able to board transport or legally travel to the UK.

Whether you can apply for an ETA will depend on your nationality. Please click on the appropriate section below for details.

The ETA is required if you will be seeking permission to enter the UK as a Standard Visitor to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

Whether you need ETA will depend on your nationality and when you will travel into the UK. If you are from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries, you will usually need an ETA.

Check if you need an ETA or visa.

If you're a national of another country, check the Immigration Rules Appendix ETA National List.

You do not need an ETA if any of the following apply:

  • you have a visa
  • you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (this includes holding Settled or Pre-Settled Status on the EU Settlement Scheme)
  • you are a British or Irish citizen
  • you are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport
  • if you are a dual citizen with British or Iritish citizenship

Check if you need an ETA or a visa.

The Electronic Travel Authorisation gives permission for you to travel to the UK for up to 6 months for the purpose of tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study.

All visitors must meet Standard Visitor Visa requirements on arriving in the UK and throughout the duration of your visit.

Documents required

The following documents are required when you apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation:

  • Your valid and current passport - not a photocopy
  • An email address you have access
  • Way to pay - such as a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
  • Mobile device or phone to take pictures of your passport and the face of the person applying
  • ATAS certificate - students studying on certain science or engineering based courses at Masters level and above will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. You can find out more about applying for ATAS and which courses require it, on our ATAS pages. Further guidance can be found on the ATAS website
Fees and costs

The fee for an ETA application is £16. You cannot get a refund after you apply.

There are two ways to apply. You can apply for an ETA using the UK ETA app on a mobile phone or online.

If you need help with the app, you can read the guide on using the UK ETA app.

If you cannot use the mobile app, you can apply online. 

Apply for an ETA

The GOV.UK ETA page advises you will usually get a decision within 3 working days. This may be quicker or take longer.

After you apply, you will receive an email confirming you got an ETA.

You should keep:

  • The email copy of your approved ETA
  • Your boarding passes and/or flight itinerary - to show when you entered the UK