UK ETA Fee Increase 2026: What the Planned Price Change to £20 Means for Travellers

UK ETA Fee Increase 2026: What Travellers Need to Know

The United Kingdom’s Electronic Travel Authorisation has undergone a significant pricing change. Additionally, currently, the UK ETA fee increased from £10 to £16 per applicant. This price adjustment affects every traveller from the 85 ETA-eligible countries who plans to visit the UK (VisitBritain) for tourism, business, or transit purposes. Whether you are a solo traveller or planning a family holiday, understanding the new fee structure is essential for budgeting your trip effectively. Key fact: The UK ETA costs £20 per application, is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, and allows unlimited visits of up to 6 months each. Citizens from 48 eligible countries must obtain an ETA before travelling (Source: GOV.UK). The ETA system, which became fully mandatory in 2025, requires eligible nationals to obtain digital authorisation before travelling to the United Kingdom. Furthermore, despite the fee increasing, the UK ETA remains one of the most affordable travel authorisation documents in the world and is still far less expensive than applying for a traditional UK visa.

Why Did the UK ETA Fee Increase in 2026?

The UK Home Office confirmed the ETA fee increase as part of a broader review of immigration and border service charges. Moreover, the adjustment from £10 to £16 reflects several factors that the government considered when setting the new price point.

Reasons Behind the UK ETA Price Rise

First, the cost of maintaining and upgrading the digital infrastructure that supports the ETA system has grown since its initial launch. In addition, security screening technology, database management, and round-the-clock processing capabilities all require ongoing investment. Second, the government has sought to bring the UK ETA pricing closer to what comparable nations charge for similar electronic travel authorisations. The United States, for instance, charges $21 for its ESTA programme. Third, inflationary pressures since 2024 have increased the operational costs associated with processing applications and maintaining customer support services. Despite these increases, the UK government has emphasised that the ETA is designed to remain accessible and affordable for the vast majority of travellers. Therefore, at £16 per person, it is still positioned as a low-barrier entry requirement that facilitates rather than hinders travel to the United Kingdom.

UK ETA Fee History: A Complete Timeline

Understanding how the UK ETA fee has evolved since its introduction helps put the 2026 increase into context. As a result, below is a complete timeline of the fee changes.

Date	Event	ETA Fee
November 2024	UK ETA launched for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals	£16
April 2025	ETA expanded to all eligible non-European nationalities	£16
2025	ETA expanded to European nationalities	£16
8 April 2026	Fee increase takes effect; full enforcement begins	£16

The ETA scheme was first introduced to a limited group of nationalities before being progressively rolled out. For this reason, throughout 2024 and most of 2025, the fee remained at £10. The increase to £16 represents the first price adjustment since the programme’s inception.

How Much Does a UK ETA Cost in 2026?

The government fee for a UK ETA is now £16 per person. This is a flat rate that applies to every applicant regardless of age or nationality. In particular, children, including infants, each require their own ETA and must pay the full £20 fee.

Total Cost Through visaeta.uk

When you apply for your UK ETA through visaeta.uk, the total cost is £96 per applicant. This breaks down as follows:

• Government fee: £16 (paid to the UK Home Office)
• Service fee: £60 (covers application review, guidance, and support)
• Total: £96 per person

The service fee covers comprehensive assistance including application form review before submission, eligibility checks, document guidance, and customer support throughout the process. Specifically, many travellers find this service valuable because a single error on an ETA application can lead to refusal, and the government does not offer refunds for refused applications.

UK ETA Family Cost Calculator 2026

Planning a family trip to the United Kingdom requires budgeting for multiple ETA applications. For example, the table below shows the total costs for different group sizes.

Group Size	Government Fee (£16 each)	Total via visaeta.uk (£96 each)
1 person	£16	£96
2 people (couple)	£40	£160
Family of 3	£60	£240
Family of 4	£96	£320
Family of 5	£96	£400
Group of 6	£120	£480

Remember that each family member, regardless of age, must have an individual ETA linked to their own passport. Similarly, parents cannot include children on their own ETA application. Each person needs a separate submission and payment.

UK ETA Fee vs Other Countries’ Travel Authorisations

How does the new UK ETA fee compare with similar electronic travel authorisation schemes around the world? The comparison below shows that the UK ETA price remains competitive even after the 2026 increase.

Programme	Country	Cost	Approx. GBP	Validity	Processing Time
UK ETA	United Kingdom	£16	£16	2 years	Usually within 3 working days
US ESTA	United States	$21	~£17	2 years	Usually within 72 hours
Canada eTA	Canada	$7 CAD	~£4	5 years	Usually within minutes
Australia ETA	Australia	$20 AUD	~£16	1 year	Usually within 12 hours
EU ETIAS	European Union	€7	~£6	3 years	Usually within minutes

As the table shows, the UK ETA at £20 is priced similarly to the US ESTA and is slightly more expensive than the Canadian eTA and the forthcoming EU ETIAS. However, when you consider the two-year validity period and the ability to make multiple visits during that time, the cost per trip can be very low for frequent travellers.

UK ETA vs UK Visa: Understanding the Cost Difference

One of the most important points for travellers to understand is the significant difference between a UK ETA and a UK visa. In fact, even with the 2026 fee increase, the ETA remains dramatically more affordable than a traditional visitor visa.

Cost Comparison

A Standard Visitor Visa for the United Kingdom costs £115 or more, depending on the duration and type. Above all, by contrast, the UK ETA costs just £20. That means the ETA is approximately 86% cheaper than a standard visa. For a family of four, the difference is even more striking: £96 in ETA fees versus £460 or more in visa fees. Beyond the financial saving, the ETA application process is considerably simpler. There is no need to attend an in-person appointment, provide biometric data at a visa application centre, or submit extensive supporting documentation. Consequently, the entire ETA process is completed online or through the UK ETA app.

What Happens If Your UK ETA Is Refused?

An important consideration regarding the UK ETA fee increase is the refund policy. Besides this, the UK Home Office does not provide refunds if your ETA application is refused. This means the £16 government fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your application. This policy makes it particularly important to ensure your application is accurate and complete before submission. Meanwhile, common reasons for ETA refusal include providing incorrect passport details, having a criminal record, or previously overstaying in the United Kingdom. You can learn more about what happens if your UK ETA is refused and how to avoid common pitfalls. Using a professional service such as visaeta.uk can help reduce the risk of refusal by having your application reviewed before it is submitted. While no service can guarantee approval, having expert eyes check your details can catch errors that might otherwise result in a lost £16 fee.

How to Apply for a UK ETA After the Fee Increase

The application process itself has not changed following the fee increase. Additionally, you can apply for your UK ETA through two primary channels.

Option 1: The Official UK ETA App

The UK ETA app is available for download on both iOS and Android devices. Furthermore, you will need to scan your passport using your phone’s NFC capability, take a selfie photograph, and answer a series of eligibility questions. Payment of the £16 fee is made within the app.

Option 2: The gov.uk Website

You can also apply directly through the official UK government website. Moreover, the online form requires the same information as the app, and you will need to upload a photograph and enter your passport details manually.

Option 3: Professional Application Service

Services such as visaeta.uk offer a guided application experience with professional review. This option costs £96 total (£16 government fee plus £80 service fee) and includes assistance throughout the process. This is particularly valuable for travellers who want additional peace of mind or who are unfamiliar with UK immigration requirements. Regardless of which method you choose, most ETA applications are processed within three working days, though some may take longer if additional checks are required.

Tips to Save Money on the UK ETA Fee

While the £20 fee is mandatory and cannot be avoided, there are several strategies travellers can use to maximise the value of their ETA investment.

• Apply early: Since the ETA is valid for two years, apply well before your travel date. This gives you the flexibility to make multiple trips without paying again.
• Check your passport expiry: Your ETA expires when your passport does. If your passport is due for renewal within the next two years, consider renewing it first so your ETA remains valid for the full two-year period.
• Double-check your details: Avoid costly mistakes by carefully reviewing every field before submitting. Remember, the fee is non-refundable if your application is refused.
• Apply directly if confident: If you are comfortable with online applications, using the official app or gov.uk saves the service fee. However, if you have any doubts, the professional service fee is a worthwhile investment.
• Plan family applications together: Submit all family member applications at the same time to ensure everyone is approved before booking flights and accommodation.

Official Sources & References

This guide is based on official UK government sources. All information is current as of 2026.

1. UK Government — Apply for an ETA
2. UK Government — ETA Guidance
3. UK Government — Check If You Need a UK Visa
4. UK Government — Standard Visitor
5. VisitBritain — Getting to Britain

Frequently Asked Questions About the UK ETA Fee Increase

Apply for Your UK ETA Today

The UK ETA fee increase to £16 is now in effect, and all travellers from ETA-eligible countries must obtain this authorisation before departing for the United Kingdom. While the fee has increased from its original £10 price point, the ETA remains an affordable and efficient way to gain entry to the UK for short visits of up to six months. With a two-year validity period and the convenience of a fully digital application process, the UK ETA offers excellent value compared to traditional visa routes. In addition, whether you are visiting London for a weekend break, attending a business meeting in Edinburgh, or transiting through a UK airport, having your ETA sorted in advance ensures a smooth journey.