How to Apply for a UK ETA from Your Desktop Computer (and How to Use the UK ETA App)

A UK ETA is a digital travel permission for people who don't need a visa for short visits to the UK. It is not a visa. Nothing is stamped in your passport, and you don't receive a document to print. Instead, your permission is stored electronically and linked to the passport you used to apply. Airlines, ferry operators, and rail companies check it when you check in, and border officers can see it when you arrive.

Once granted, an ETA:

•   Is valid for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first

•   Allows multiple trips to the UK during that time

•   Allows stays of up to six months per visit

•   Covers tourism, family visits, permitted business activities, short study, and transit

An ETA does not guarantee entry, and it does not allow you to work for a UK employer or live in the UK. Border officers make the final decision when you arrive, though travellers with a valid ETA and a genuine reason for visiting rarely have problems.

You need an ETA if you hold a passport from a country whose citizens can visit the UK without a visa, and you are not a British or Irish citizen. That includes travellers from the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, along with citizens of most European countries and many others. Check the eligibility list on GOV.UK for your passport country.

Every traveller needs their own ETA, including babies and children. There is no group or family application, although someone can apply on another person's behalf. British and Irish citizens, including dual nationals, do not need one and cannot apply. Travellers who already hold a UK visa don't need one either.

Both routes lead to the same ETA at the same price. The main differences are these:

The desktop route works on any computer with a web browser. You don't need a smartphone, and you can apply from a comfortable desk with a full keyboard. It suits people who prefer larger screens, who don't have a compatible phone, or who are applying for a relative who isn't with them. Because a computer can't read the chip in your passport, you upload photos instead, and this can sometimes mean a slightly longer wait for a decision.

The app route uses your phone's camera and its NFC reader to scan your passport chip and your face. The Home Office describes it as the quickest option, and many applicants receive a decision within minutes. It requires a compatible phone and a biometric passport.

If you have a suitable phone and a biometric passport, the app is usually easier. If not, or if you prefer a desktop, the website works perfectly well.

Prepare these items first so you can finish in one sitting:

•   The passport you'll travel with. Your ETA is linked to this exact passport. If you renew it later, you will need a new ETA.

•   A digital photo of your passport photo page. Take this with a phone or scanner and transfer it to your computer. It must be a JPG or JPEG file, and it should be clear, flat, and free of glare. Keep it at least around 600 by 750 pixels so the system accepts it.

•   A digital photo of your face. Also a JPG or JPEG, taken against a plain, light background with a neutral expression.

•   An email address you can open right away. The system sends you a security code, and it expires after a short time.

•   A phone number, including the international dialling code.

•   Your home address.

•   A debit or credit card. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are generally accepted.

•   Information about your employment, and honest answers to questions about any criminal convictions or past immigration problems.

You do not need flight details, hotel bookings, or a travel date. The ETA isn't tied to a specific trip.

Step 1: Go to the official GOV.UK page

Open your browser and start from the official UK government site. Search for "UK electronic travel authorisation GOV.UK" and follow the link to the Home Office application service. Avoid sponsored ads and lookalike websites. The official service is free to open, and the only payment is the government fee at the end.

Step 2: Enter your email address

On the first screen, choose to continue and type in your email address. Use one you check regularly, because your decision arrives there. Double-check the spelling, since a single wrong letter means you won't receive anything.

Step 3: Enter your security code

The service emails you a short security code. Copy it, paste it into the box on screen, and select continue. If it doesn't arrive within a minute or two, check your spam or junk folder. The code expires after a short period, so if it times out, request a new one.

Step 4: Upload your passport photo

Next, you'll be asked to upload a photo of your passport's photo page. Read the guidelines on the screen first. The main rules are:

•   Show the whole page, with all four corners visible

•   Place the passport on a flat, plain surface

•   Avoid glare, shadows, and blurry text

•   Use a JPG or JPEG file that meets the minimum size

Select "Choose file," pick your image, and upload it. If the image is too small or unreadable, an error message will explain what to fix. Retake the photo and try again.

Step 5: Check the passport details

Once the image is accepted, the service shows the details it has read from your passport. Compare every item with your actual passport, including your name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and expiry date. If anything is wrong, correct it now. Mistakes here are a leading cause of delays.

Step 6: Skip the face scan and upload your photo

The application may offer a "scan your face" step that only works on a phone. On a desktop, choose to skip this step, and you'll be taken to a page where you can upload a photo of your face instead.

Follow the photo requirements closely. Face the camera directly, keep a neutral expression, take off glasses if they cause glare, keep your head uncovered unless worn for religious reasons, and use even lighting with a plain background. Upload the JPG or JPEG file. If the system rejects the photo, it will tell you why. Choose to upload another photo, retake it in better light, and try again. When the photo is accepted, confirm that you want to use it and continue.

Step 7: Provide your contact details

You'll be asked for your phone number, which needs the international country code, for example +1 for the United States and Canada or +61 for Australia. Then enter your home address, including your country.

Step 8: Confirm your nationality and answer employment questions

Confirm your nationality, then say whether you have a job. If you do, you'll be asked to enter your occupation. Answer each question, then select continue.

Step 9: Answer the suitability questions

You will then see a series of questions about your background. These cover:

•   Criminal convictions, including old ones and those from other countries

•   Security-related matters, such as involvement in serious crimes or terrorism

Answer every question honestly and completely. Providing false or misleading information can lead to a refusal and may harm future visa or travel applications. You don't need to upload supporting documents at this stage.

Step 10: Review your application

Before payment, the service shows a summary of everything you've entered. Read it slowly. Check your name, passport number, and email address in particular. Use the change links to fix anything wrong. Once you're satisfied, select "Continue to payment."

Step 11: Pay the fee

Choose the country you are applying from so the price displays in your local currency. The fee is £20 per person, converted at the prevailing rate. Enter your card details and select "Make payment." The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is refused, so make sure your answers are right before you pay.

Step 12: Watch for your emails

After payment, you'll see an on-screen confirmation and receive an email confirming that your application has been submitted. Its subject line says the application is being processed. When a decision is made, you'll get a second email. If your ETA is approved, the message confirms it and includes your ETA reference number. Most decisions come within minutes to a few hours, but you should allow up to three working days. Some guides quote 24 to 72 hours for desktop applications.

You do not need to print anything. Just travel on the passport you applied with. Save the approval email in a safe place in case you need the reference number.

1. Prepare your photos first. Take your passport and face photos before you begin, and check the file type and size.

2. Use a scanner or a well-lit phone photo. Lay the passport flat and shoot straight down to avoid distortion.

3. Keep the browser tab open. Don't close the window or go back repeatedly, as you may lose your progress.

4. Use a card that works internationally. If your payment fails, contact your bank and try again.

5. Apply early. Allow at least three working days, and more if you are travelling soon.

6. Use the same passport for your trip. A different passport will not match your ETA.

If you'd rather apply from your phone, the process is quick.

Before you start, make sure you have a compatible smartphone (an iPhone 8 or newer running a recent iOS, or an Android phone with NFC), a biometric passport with the chip symbol on the cover, your email address, and a payment card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Step 1: Download the official app. Search for "UK ETA" in the Apple App Store or Google Play and check that the publisher is the UK Home Office.

Step 2: Start and verify your email. Tap through the introduction, agree to the terms, and enter your email address. A security code arrives by email, and it expires after ten minutes, so enter it promptly.

Step 3: Add your phone number. Enter it with the country code.

Step 4: Scan your passport. Take a photo of the photo page, then hold the top of your phone against the front cover so the NFC reader can scan the chip. Remove any thick phone or passport cover. If the chip isn't found, follow the on-screen advice and try again.

Step 5: Confirm your details. Compare what the app read with your passport and correct any errors.

Step 6: Scan your face and take a photo. Follow the prompts to move your head inside the oval, then take a clear photo against a plain background.

Step 7: Answer the questions. Enter your address, confirm your nationality, and answer the employment and suitability questions honestly.

Step 8: Review and pay. Check the summary, read the declaration, choose your country to see the price in local currency, and pay the £20 fee by card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Step 9: Wait for your decision. You'll receive a confirmation email saying your application is being processed, then another when your ETA is approved. Many decisions arrive within minutes.

If you are applying for someone else through the app, they need to be with you for the face scan. If they can't be, use the desktop website instead.

The app is more than an application form. You can use it to:

•   Check the status of your application

•   View your ETA details, including your reference number and expiry date

•   Update your contact details, such as your phone number or email, so you keep receiving messages from the Home Office

•   Start applications for other travellers who are with you

Some changes, such as a new passport, a new name, or a change of nationality, require a completely new ETA. If you're unsure, check the official guidance before you travel.

When you check in, your airline or transport provider confirms electronically that you hold a valid ETA. You won't be asked to show a printout. On arrival, you pass through border control as usual, either at an e-gate or with an officer. Be ready to explain the reason for your visit, where you're staying, and when you're leaving. It helps to carry proof of accommodation and onward travel.

Most applications succeed, but common problems include:

•   Typing errors in your name, date of birth, or passport number

•   Blurry, dark, or badly cropped photos

•   Face photos that don't meet the requirements

•   Incomplete or inconsistent answers

•   A criminal conviction or immigration breach that wasn't declared

•   A passport that is expired or about to expire

•   Applying as a British or Irish dual national, who cannot apply

If your ETA is refused, the email explains what happens next. In some cases you can reapply with corrected information. In others, you may need to apply for a visa instead.

Can I apply for a UK ETA on a computer?

Yes. The GOV.UK website works on desktops, laptops, and tablets. You upload photos of your passport and your face.

Do I have to use the app?

No. The app is recommended for speed, but the website gives the same result.

How much does it cost?

The government fee is £20 per person and is non-refundable.

How long does a desktop application take?

Filling in the form takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Decisions can come within minutes but may take up to three working days.

What file type should my photos be?

JPG or JPEG, and large enough to meet the minimum size shown on the page.

How long does an ETA last?

Two years, or until your passport expires, whichever is earlier.

Do I need a new ETA if I renew my passport?

Yes. The ETA is linked to a specific passport.

Do I need to print my ETA?

No. It is stored digitally and linked to your passport.

Can I apply for my child?

Yes. Each child needs their own ETA, and a parent or guardian can apply for them.

•   Confirm that your nationality needs an ETA

•   Check your passport is valid and, for the app, biometric

•   Prepare a clear passport photo and a face photo (JPG or JPEG) for desktop applications

•   Open the official GOV.UK service or download the official app

•   Enter your email and security code, upload your images, and answer the questions honestly

•   Review your answers, pay the £20 fee, and save your confirmation emails

•   Travel on the same passport you applied with

Whether you use a desktop computer or the UK ETA app, applying for an ETA is quick when you're prepared. Gather your passport, photos, and payment card, start at the official GOV.UK page, and apply at least three working days before you travel, and earlier if you can. Then you can look forward to your trip, whether it's the streets of London, the Scottish Highlands, or the coast of Wales.