UK ETA basics: fee, separate ETAs, exemptions, and avoid imitation sites

By Beyond Points Editorial · Updated 2026-10-06

The short answer: The checked guidance says the official UK ETA application fee is £20. Each traveler needs their own ETA, including babies and children. Other websites may charge more to apply, and the official page warns travelers to avoid websites that imitate government services. Some people do not need an ETA, for example travelers with a British or Irish passport or permission to live, work or study in the UK. If you transit through a UK airport landside and pass through border control before your onward journey, you need an ETA.

Sourced statements below link to official guidance. Worked examples are labeled; the remaining planning advice is editorial judgment.

Fee and the website warning

The official UK ETA application fee is £20. Other websites may charge more to submit a UK ETA application than the official channel. (UK Government)

Editorial guidance: apply through the official GOV.UK route and leave any page that imitates government services or adds extra charges.

Each traveler is counted separately

Each traveler needs their own ETA, including babies and children. (UK Government)

Editorial guidance: check each person in a family or group one by one before anyone starts an application.

Example exemptions on the official page

Some people do not need an ETA, for example travelers with a British or Irish passport or permission to live, work or study in the UK. (UK Government)

Editorial guidance: if one traveler may be exempt, check that person separately instead of assuming the whole group has the same answer.

Landside transit through border control

If you transit through a UK airport landside and pass through border control before your onward journey, you need an ETA. (UK Government)

Editorial guidance: treat a UK connection as its own ETA check if the trip involves border control before the onward journey.

When cash makes more sense

Editorial guidance: This article addresses a cash fee, not points.

Your next step

Editorial guidance: Budget £20 per traveler, check whether any traveler falls into an example exemption, and use the official GOV.UK application route.

• Search trips
• Build a trip plan
• London on Points: How to Get There Without Drowning in Surcharges
• LAX to London on Points: The Best Ways to Fly Business and Economy
• New York to London on Points: The Best Ways to Fly Business and Economy
• The biggest mistake people make before transferring points

Sources and verification

• Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: Overview - GOV.UK — UK Government; checked 2026-10-07; re-check by 2026-10-14.

Prepared with AI assistance and checked against the cited sources. Recommendations are editorial judgment. No live price or award availability is implied.