United Kingdom entry requirements
Visitors who don't need a visa, including US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, German and Japanese passport holders, need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel. It costs £20, every traveller needs one including babies, and you can apply for others. British and Irish citizens don't need one, and the UK has no arrival card.
Photo: Jaanus Jagomägi on Unsplash
At a glance, by passport
| Passport | Visa or travel authority | Arrival forms and levies | Coming home |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (£20) | Nothing to do | Not covered yet |
| United Kingdom (British citizen) | Nothing to do | Nothing to do | Not covered yet |
| Australia | UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (£20) | Nothing to do | Incoming Passenger Card |
| New Zealand | UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (£20) | Nothing to do | New Zealand Traveller Declaration |
| Canada | UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (£20) | Nothing to do | Not covered yet |
| Germany | UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (£20) | Nothing to do | Not covered yet |
| Japan | UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (£20) | Nothing to do | Visit Japan Web customs declaration |
Your the UK checklist
Everything for one traveller. Add everyone on your booking in the WayReady app.
How WayReady gets the UK sorted
You stay in control the whole way. We get it ready; you submit on the official site.
- 1
Your trip, built from your booking
Paste your confirmation and WayReady picks up your flights into LHR, your dates and where you're staying.
- 2
Every form found for every traveller
Each person's passport is checked against the official rules, including the declaration for coming home.
- 3
Plain questions for what only you know
Things like cash, food or goods are flagged for you to answer, never guessed. Everything else is ready to copy.
- 4
Submitted by you, on the official site
Open the government site from your trip, paste in your answers, pay any government fee directly, and submit.
Guides for this trip
- UK ETA for families and childrenEvery traveller needs an ETA, including babies and children. You can apply for other people. Use the app if they're with you, or apply online with their passport and a photo of their face. What each traveller needs for the UK ETA, and how to do it for your whole group.Read the guide
- How much is the UK ETA? The official costThe UK ETA costs £20 on the official site. Where to apply, who needs it, and how to avoid paying a middleman.Read the guide
the UK questions, answered
How much is the UK ETA?
£20 per person since 8 April 2026, on GOV.UK or in the official UK ETA app. The fee isn't refunded after you apply.
Do children need a UK ETA?
Yes. Every traveller needs an ETA, including babies and children. You can apply for them.
How long does a UK ETA take?
You'll usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days.
Do I need a UK ETA to transit through London?
You need one if you pass through UK border control during your transit.
Does the UK have an arrival card?
No. There's no arrival card to fill in for the UK.
Official sources
Last checked 3 October 2026. Rules can change at short notice, so always confirm on the official site before you travel. WayReady is not a government agency.