- A UK ETA costs £20, and an application is paid by credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- It lasts 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner, with as many trips as you want in that time.
- You usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days.
- GOV.UK warns that no alternative service can speed up a decision, and that there are no refunds after you apply.
What an ETA is
An ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK for visitors who do not need a visa. GOV.UK states it costs £20, allows a stay of up to six months per visit, and does not guarantee entry. Every traveller needs their own, including children and infants. British and Irish passport holders are exempt, as are people with permission to live, work or study in the UK.
How the copies work
When the ETA rules began, look-alike sites appeared quickly. They rank in search results or run adverts, use official-looking names, and charge a fee of their own. Reports describe prices from around £50 to well over £200 for the same application. Some promise guaranteed approval or faster processing, which no site can offer, because the decision belongs to the Home Office.
The official application, step by step
- Start from the GOV.UK ETA page, or download the official UK ETA app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
- Have the passport you will travel with, a passport photo, a facial photo that meets the digital photo rules, and an email address.
- Pay £20.
- Wait for the email decision. The ETA is linked to the passport used, so a typing error matters.
- Do not travel until you have the confirmation.
Copycat promises against official rules
| A look-alike says | GOV.UK says |
|---|---|
| “Guaranteed approval” | An ETA does not guarantee entry, and the decision is the Home Office’s. |
| “Express decision, pay extra” | Alternative services cannot give a faster decision. Most come within a day and the limit is 3 working days. |
| “Pay by bank transfer or gift card” | The listed payment methods are cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. |
| “Assisted application, £50 to £200+” | The fee is £20. The Home Office does not let outside agents process ETAs. |
| “Call our helpline” | UKVI offers webchat for ETA questions. Phone support is not offered. |
Two-minute checks
- The official application address is on homeoffice.gov.uk, reached from the GOV.UK ETA page. If you started from an advert, go back and start from GOV.UK.
- The fee at the payment page is £20.
- No request for payment by bank transfer or gift card.
- No promise of approval or a faster decision.
If you already paid a look-alike
- Tell your bank or card provider that the site imitated a government service. Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 covers items with a cash price from £100 to £30,000, and a £20 ETA sits below that range, so ask about a chargeback as well.
- Keep the confirmation email and a screenshot of the site.
- Check that a genuine ETA exists for your passport, using the official service. GOV.UK says to contact UKVI if you have no response after 3 working days.
- Report the site to Report Fraud and the Citizens Advice consumer helpline, 0808 223 1133.
GOV.UK’s own wording is plain: other websites may charge more to apply, and you should avoid websites that imitate government services.
Related visa scams
Separate from ETAs, fake job offers promising UK work visas ask for fees by money transfer. The Home Office has published an advisory on online visa fraud, which says the UK government does not ask for payment by international money transfer. For proving an existing status, see eVisas and share codes; for the agent side, see fake visa agents.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a UK ETA?
£20, according to GOV.UK, checked 5 October 2026.
Where do I apply for a UK ETA?
Through the GOV.UK ETA service or the official UK ETA app. Payment is by credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Does an ETA guarantee entry to the UK?
No. GOV.UK states an ETA does not guarantee entry.
Do babies need an ETA?
Yes. Each family member, including infants, needs one, unless they are exempt.
How long does an ETA take and how long does it last?
GOV.UK says you usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days. An ETA lasts 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner.
Can a website get me a faster ETA decision?
No. GOV.UK says alternative services cannot give you a faster decision. If you have no response after 3 working days, contact UKVI through the official channels.