How Much Does a UK ETA Cost? Fees & Payment Explained

This guide explains what the UK ETA fee is, how and when you pay it, what is and is not refundable, and how to avoid paying more than the official price. It is independent general guidance, not a government service. Before you pay, check the amount on the official application page, because fees can change.

What does a UK ETA cost?

The official fee is £20 for each person who applies online or through the UK ETA app. It has risen twice since the scheme opened:

Older articles that quote £10 or £16 as the current price are out of date. Our fee change guide and the Official Fees register keep the history and the latest check date in one place.

Who has to pay?

Every traveller who needs an ETA needs their own, so a family of four pays 4 × £20 = £80. GOV.UK lists a single £20 fee and does not mention a family package or a child discount. If you are not sure whether you need an ETA at all, read who needs a UK ETA first, because British and Irish citizens, people with a UK visa and airside transit passengers are among those who do not.

How do you pay?

You pay at the end of the application. GOV.UK lists Apple Pay, Google Pay, American Express, JCB, Mastercard and Visa. Your bank may ask you to enter a security code or approve the payment in its app. The ETA app shows the price in the local currency for your country and lets you change the currency, so the amount on your card statement depends on the exchange rate and any foreign transaction fee your bank charges.

If you are applying for someone who is with you, GOV.UK says you can use the app. For someone who is not with you, apply online. Applicants under 18 need to give contact details for someone with parental responsibility.

Is the fee refundable?

No. GOV.UK says: "You cannot get a refund after you apply." If an application is rejected or needs changes, you apply again. Check your details and photo carefully before you submit, because the face photo must meet the official digital photo rules or the application may be delayed or rejected.

What does the fee not buy?

• A faster decision. Decisions usually arrive by email within one day and can take up to three working days. GOV.UK says applying through another website or app will not speed this up. See how long a UK ETA takes.
• A visa. An ETA is permission to travel linked to your passport, not a visa. It lasts for two years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner, and can be used for as many trips as you like while it is valid. GOV.UK says an ETA also covers travel to Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
• A guarantee of entry. Border officers still decide whether to admit you on arrival.

How does it compare with other schemes?

The US ESTA is $40.62 and the EU's ETIAS is planned at €20, but ETIAS is not yet operating and has no confirmed start date. The Official Fees register lists the latest figure for each scheme with the government notice it comes from.

How to avoid paying more than the official fee

• Apply through the UK ETA app or GOV.UK, and check that the payment screen shows £20 per applicant.
• Be wary of websites that charge more or imitate government services. GOV.UK warns that other websites may charge more to apply.
• Keep your confirmation email and reference number. If something looks wrong, compare it with what GOV.UK shows.

For a full breakdown of what couples, families and repeat travellers pay, see UK ETA application price. If your passport is nearly out of date, our passport rule guide explains what matters.

What this guide does not cover

We have not found an official statement of why the fee changed, so we do not give one. This page records the amounts and rules GOV.UK publishes. It is not legal or immigration advice. In unusual cases, such as a refusal or a change of passport, use the official guidance or a qualified adviser.