Complete guide 2026 – Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) – United Kingdom

From 2026, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) becomes a key requirement for entering the United Kingdom. The ETA is a mandatory travel authorisation for nationals of many visa-exempt countries travelling for short stays. For international companies, failing to anticipate this requirement may result in boarding refusals or project delays.

In this guide, we explain what the UK ETA is, who is concerned, and how to secure your business travel.

What is the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?

The ETA is an electronic travel authorisation introduced by the UK government to strengthen border control and better monitor incoming travellers.

It works similarly to other international systems (such as ESTA in the United States or eTA in Canada):

• It is electronically linked to the passport
• It is mandatory before departure
• It applies to travellers who are visa-exempt for short stays

👉 Important: the ETA is not a visa, but a pre-travel authorisation to enter the territory.

Who needs to apply for a UK ETA?

You must apply for an ETA if:

• You are a national of a visa-exempt country for visits of less than 6 months (including EU countries)
• You do not hold another valid UK residence permit
• You are travelling to the United Kingdom for less than 6 months for one of the following purposes:
  • tourism
  • family visit
  • business visit
  • certain paid and/or professional activities (more information below)
  • transit

Do children need an ETA?

Yes. Each traveller, including children, must have their own ETA.

Eligible nationalities for the ETA:

🌍 Americas

Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
United States
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Mexico
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Uruguay

🌍 EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa)

Andorra
Saudi Arabia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Vatican City
Croatia
Denmark
United Arab Emirates
Spain
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Israel
Italy
Kuwait
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Norway
Oman
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sweden
Switzerland
Seychelles
Mauritius

🌍 Asia & Oceania

Australia
Brunei
South Korea
Hong Kong (SAR)
Japan
Kiribati
Macao (SAR)
Malaysia
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
New Zealand
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Taiwan *
Tonga
Tuvalu

* if you hold a passport issued by Taiwan including the personal identification number issued by the competent authority in Taiwan.

How long is the UK ETA valid?

The ETA is generally:

• valid for 2 years
• or until passport expiry
• with multiple entries allowed

Each stay remains limited to 6 months (with exceptions depending on the purpose), with no official limit on the number of visits during the validity of the ETA.

However, frequent and/or long visits may raise concerns with the authorities regarding the true purpose of the stay (e.g. work rather than business). In case of non-compliance with permitted activities, there are risks for both the individual and the host company.

How to apply for a UK ETA

The process is fully digital:

• via the “UK ETA” mobile application
• via the official UK government website

Authorities currently indicate up to 3 working days to receive the ETA after submission.

As a precaution, we recommend submitting the application at least one week before the intended departure date.

ETA cost: £20 (since 8 April 2026)

What professional activities are allowed with a UK ETA?

The ETA allows certain business travel but does not allow individuals to work freely in the United Kingdom.

Permitted business activities (non-exhaustive list):

• attending interviews and meetings
• negotiating and signing agreements and contracts
• carrying out site visits and inspections
• delivering training or sharing knowledge on internal projects with employees of the same group in the UK
• carrying out technical activities (installation, repair of machines, equipment, software or IT hardware) where there is a contract for purchase, supply or lease with a UK company or organisation

Activities not allowed without a visa:

• local paid employment, unless falling under “permitted paid engagement”
• long-term assignments (over 6 months)

Risks in case of non-compliance for both the individual and the company:

• refusal of entry at the border
• impact on the company’s reputation
• disruption of international projects

ETA and international mobility strategy

The ETA is part of a broader trend: the digitalisation of immigration controls.

Many countries have already implemented similar systems:

• Canada: eTA
• United States: ESTA
• Australia: ETA
• European Union: ETIAS (upcoming)
• Thailand: ETA (progressive rollout)

How to secure your travel to the United Kingdom

To avoid common mistakes, it is recommended to:

• verify each traveller’s status (ETA or visa)
• clearly define the purpose of the trip
• anticipate application timelines
• centralise the tracking of authorisations

A global approach allows you to:

• avoid legal risks
• optimise operational timelines
• secure your international assignments

For full support, discover our expertise in international mobility:
👉 https://www.france-immigration.com/