Quick answer
To apply for a UK ETA you need four things: the passport you will travel on, an email address, a way to pay £20 (card, Apple Pay or Google Pay) and a photo of your face. You do not need flight tickets, hotel bookings or bank statements to apply.
On this page
Your passport
- It must be the passport you will actually travel with: the ETA is linked to it electronically.
- An identity card is not enough. Visitors need a passport to enter the UK.
- The UK does not ask for 3 or 6 months of remaining validity. The passport must be valid for the whole of your stay.
- If the passport expires in less than 2 years, your ETA ends on the same day.
Passport validity check
A photo of your face
In the app you scan your face with the phone camera. Online you upload a photo instead. The photo has to follow the official rules for digital photos of faces; if it does not, the application can be delayed or rejected. In the app, children aged 9 and under are not asked for a face scan.
Email and payment
The decision and your 16-digit reference number arrive by email, so use an address you check and look in the spam folder if nothing arrives. Payment is by credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
App or website?
| UK ETA app | GOV.UK website | |
|---|---|---|
| What you need | A phone with a camera | A photo of the passport and a photo of your face |
| Passport chip | Scanned if possible; otherwise details are taken from the photo page | Not needed |
| Applying for someone not with you | Not possible | Possible |
| Fee and result | £20, same ETA | £20, same ETA |
What you do not need
- a travel booking: you can apply before you buy tickets
- proof of funds or accommodation for the application itself
- a printout: the ETA is checked electronically against your passport
A Border Force officer can still ask about your visit when you arrive, so keep the details of your trip to hand.
Questions
Can I apply with an identity card?
No. You need a passport, both for the application and to travel.
My passport has no chip. Can I still apply?
Yes. If the chip cannot be read, the details are taken from the photo of your passport, or you can apply online where no chip is needed.
Do I need to know my travel dates?
No. An ETA is not tied to a trip. It is valid for 2 years and any number of visits.
Sources
Checked on 10 November 2026. Rules can change; the official pages below always take priority.