If you are planning a trip to the UK, one of the most common questions right now is whether you need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), a Standard Visitor visa, or both.
With the UK’s new digital permission system now being enforced, many travellers are understandably confused. The rules have changed, and as of 25 February 2026, many people who previously travelled to the UK without arranging anything in advance can now be refused travel if they do not hold the correct permission.
In this guide, we explain:
- What a UK ETA is
- Who needs an ETA
- Who does not need an ETA
- When a Standard Visitor visa is required instead
- Whether you need an ETA and a visa, or just one
- When it is worth getting legal advice before you apply
If you are unsure which route applies to you, getting it wrong can lead to delays, refused boarding, or a rejected visa application. That is why it is important to understand the difference before you travel.
What is a UK ETA?
A UK ETA is simply a digital travel authorisation. It is not a visa, and it does not guarantee entry, but it gives eligible non-visa nationals permission to travel to the UK for short visits.
It is designed for people visiting the UK for purposes such as:
- tourism
- visiting family or friends
- certain business visitor activities
- short-term study or other permitted visitor activities, where allowed
An ETA currently costs £16 and usually allows multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to 6 months at a time, for 2 years or until the passport used in the application expires, whichever comes first.
Most applicants apply using the UK ETA app, and the Home Office says many decisions are issued quickly, often within minutes, although travellers are advised to apply at least 3 working days before travel in case further checks are needed.
The most recent ETA update: why this matters now
The most important recent change is that the UK has now moved from rollout to active enforcement.
From 25 February 2026, non-visa nationals who are required to hold an ETA can be prevented from travelling to the UK if they do not already have the correct digital permission in place. In other words, this is no longer just a future requirement, it is now being enforced.
The Home Office has described this as part of the wider shift towards a more digital immigration system and a more digital border.
This means travellers now need to think about UK entry requirements earlier, even for short visits.
Who usually needs a UK ETA?
In broad terms, you will usually need an ETA if:
- you are travelling to the UK as a visitor for up to 6 months
- you are from a country whose nationals do not normally need a visa for short visits
- you do not already hold another valid UK immigration permission
GOV.UK states that most visitors travelling to the UK now need either an ETA or a visa, depending mainly on their nationality and reason for travel. It also notes that travellers from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada and certain other countries will usually need an ETA rather than a visa for a short visit.
This is why so many travellers are now searching for answers: people who were used to simply booking a flight may now need to apply for digital permission before they travel.
Who does not need a UK ETA?
You do not need an ETA in a number of common situations.
For example, you do not need an ETA if you:
- are a British citizen
- are an Irish citizen
- already have a UK visa
- already have permission to live, work or study in the UK
- have settled or pre-settled status
- have the right of abode
- are transiting through a UK airport without passing border control
- are travelling on certain exempt British nationality passports, such as a British National (Overseas) passport or a British Overseas Territories citizen passport
This is a key point: if you already hold a valid UK visit visa, you do not also need an ETA.
Do you need both an ETA and a UK visitor visa?
In most cases, no.
For most visitors, it is one or the other:
- If you are a non-visa national, you will usually need an ETA
- If you are a visa national, you will usually need a Standard Visitor visa
- If you already have a valid UK visa or another valid UK immigration status, you usually do not need an ETA as well
That is the practical answer most travellers need: you do not normally need both.
The real issue is identifying which category you fall into.
When do you need a Standard Visitor visa instead?
You will usually need a Standard Visitor visa if your nationality requires you to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK, even if your trip is only for a short visit.
A Standard Visitor visa is the correct route for many people travelling for:
- tourism
- family visits
- business visits
- short courses
- medical treatment
- other permitted visitor activities under the visitor rules
The Standard Visitor route can allow visits of up to 6 months in most cases. In some circumstances, applicants can also apply for longer-validity visit visas (such as 2, 5 or 10 years), although each individual stay must still comply with the visitor rules and is usually limited to 6 months at a time.
If you need a visa, the UK’s system will not treat an ETA as a substitute. In that situation, the correct application is a visitor visa, not an ETA.
ETA vs Visitor Visa: what is the difference?
The simplest way to think about it is this:
A UK ETA
- is a digital travel authorisation
- is for eligible non-visa nationals
- is generally quicker and simpler than a visa application
- does not replace a visa where a visa is required
- does not guarantee entry to the UK
A Standard Visitor visa
- is a formal visa application
- is for people who must obtain entry clearance before travel
- usually requires more detailed evidence and documentation
- is appropriate where the applicant’s nationality requires a visa, or where a visa is otherwise needed before travel
So while both relate to short visits, they are not interchangeable.
Why visitors are getting confused
The confusion is understandable for a few reasons. First, many travellers are familiar with visa systems, but not with digital travel authorisations. An ETA sounds similar to a visa, but legally it is different.
Second, the UK’s new system means that even some people who do not need a visa still now need permission before travelling. That is a major practical change.
Third, some travellers assume they need to apply for everything “just in case”, which can lead to the mistaken belief that they may need both an ETA and a visa. In most cases, that is not correct.
A new practical point for visitor visa applicants: eVisas
There is another recent update that visitors should be aware of.
For most successful UK visit visa applications made on or after 25 February 2026, the Home Office says applicants will now receive an eVisa instead of a physical visa sticker in their passport. That means many visitors granted a visit visa will need to access their status through their UKVI account before they travel.
This is especially important for travellers who are more familiar with the older paper-based or sticker-based system.
When should you get legal advice?
Although some visitors can apply without assistance, legal advice can be especially helpful if:
- You want help preparing a strong Standard Visitor visa application and avoid risking a refusal
- You require urgent support to make a Standard Visitor visa application
- You have previously been refused a UK visa
- Your travel purpose is not straightforward
- You are visiting family and want to avoid mistakes in the application
- You are concerned about proving that you are a genuine visitor
Visitor applications can look simple on the surface, but refusals often happen because applicants misunderstand the route, submit weak evidence, or fail to explain their circumstances properly.
For support with your visitor visa application, call 0151 229 1170 or make an enquiry and a member of our Immigration team will be happy to discuss your options.
