UK ETA Cost for Children 2026 — Fees, Rules & How to Apply

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The UK ETA cost for children in 2026 is £20 per child, the same flat fee charged to adult applicants. Every child who requires a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation must have their own separate application and pay the individual fee — no family discount or group rate exists (UK Home Office, 9 April 2025). Under-18s are not exempt either. If your child holds an eligible passport, they need their own authorisation before travelling.

The UK ETA explained scheme launched on 8 January 2025 and now applies to citizens of over 40 countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and most EU member states. In addition, the requirement covers children of any age travelling on a qualifying passport — even infants and toddlers must have a valid ETA linked to their own travel document.

This guide answers every question families have about the UK visa refusal reasons: how much it costs, whether there are any exemptions, how to complete the application for a minor, and what happens if the application is refused.

What Is the UK ETA Cost for Children in 2026?

Children pay exactly £20 for the authorisation in 2026, identical to the adult fee. There are no reduced rates for minors, students, or infants. Each child requires a separate application tied to their individual passport — you cannot add a child onto a parent’s ETA (UK Home Office, April 2025). The only full exemption applies to British and Irish citizens and those with a valid UK visa.

Read also: How to apply for the UK ETA online in 2026

Here is a quick cost breakdown for common family sizes:

Family Size	Adults	Children	Total ETA Cost
2 adults + 1 child	£40	£20	£60
2 adults + 2 children	£40	£40	£80
2 adults + 3 children	£40	£60	£100
Single parent + 2 children	£20	£40	£60

Every ETA stays valid for two years from the date of approval, or until the passport expires — whichever comes first. According to GOV.UK, holders may make unlimited journeys during that window, with each stay capped at six months (gov.uk, 2025). So a family paying £80 today covers all four members for the full two years. No repeat applications. No extra fees.

Are Any Children Exempt from the UK ETA Fee?

Yes — children who are British citizens, Irish citizens, or who hold a current UK visa are fully exempt from the ETA requirement and pay nothing. Children travelling on a non-qualifying passport — a Pakistani or Indian one, for instance — skip the ETA and need a full visitor visa instead. But anyone aged 0–17 holding an ETA-eligible passport must apply and pay the £20 fee, whatever their age.

Indeed, many parents are surprised to discover that a six-month-old baby travelling on a US or Australian passport requires their own ETA. The UK visa for children covers every passport holder regardless of age. Consequently, it is essential to apply for each child separately using their exact passport details.

According to Home Office statistics, approximately 12% of ETA applications processed in early 2025 were for applicants under the age of 18 (UK Home Office, March 2025). Notably, the error rate for child applications is higher than for adults, primarily due to name mismatches between passport and application form.

How to Apply for a UK ETA for Your Child

To arrange a child’s travel authorisation, use the official app (available on iOS and Android) or the GOV.UK website. You will need their passport, a photo of the data page, and a payment method. The application takes around 10 minutes per child, and most decisions arrive within three working days — though many come within hours (GOV.UK, 2025). Apply at least 72 hours before travel to allow processing time.

Step-by-step process for a child’s ETA application:

1. Download the UK ETA app or go to the GOV.UK ETA portal.
2. Select “Apply for someone else” and enter your child’s details.
3. Scan their passport using your phone’s camera.
4. Upload a clear photo of their face (a selfie or recent shot).
5. Complete the security and travel history questions.
6. Pay £20 using a debit or credit card.
7. Receive confirmation by email — approval links electronically to their passport.

One account can hold applications for the whole family, which keeps things tidy. Even so, each member needs a separate authorisation — there is no batch-apply option and no joint family form. As a result, a family of four must complete four individual applications and four separate payments.

The 2-year UK visit visa process follows the same steps but requires biometric residency permit details rather than a passport scan.

Common Mistakes When Applying for a Child’s UK ETA

The most frequent error on a child’s application is a mismatch between the name typed in and the name printed in the passport. Even a missing middle name or a hyphen difference can trigger an automatic rejection. Always copy their full name exactly as it appears on the passport’s data page — not the name used day-to-day (UK Home Office guidance, 2025).

Other common mistakes include:

• Using an expired passport: Their passport must stay valid for the entire trip. An ETA approved on an expired or near-expiry passport will not be accepted at the border.
• Applying too late: Although most ETAs are approved within hours, the Home Office advises allowing at least 72 hours before travel. In peak summer, that wait can stretch to three working days.
• Confusing nationality with place of birth: Approval is tied to passport nationality, not where the child was born. A child born in the UK to US citizen parents may still need an ETA if they hold only a US passport.
• Using a third-party website: Only the official GOV.UK portal and the UK ETA app are authorised. Third-party sites may charge inflated fees and provide no guarantee of accuracy.

According to Which? Magazine, around 4% of UK ETA applicants in 2025 initially received a refusal that was later overturned after providing additional information (Which?, 2025). Consequently, double-checking all details before submitting is essential — particularly for child applications where a parent is entering data on behalf of the child.

What Happens If a Child’s UK ETA Is Refused?

If a child’s application is refused, the applicant receives an email explaining that the application was unsuccessful. No formal appeal process exists for these refusals. Instead, you can re-apply with corrected details, or switch to a full visitor visa if the refusal rests on more serious grounds. In most cases, refusals are due to data entry errors that can easily be corrected in a new application (UK Home Office, 2025).

Common refusal reasons for child applications include:

• Name or date-of-birth mismatch with passport records
• Prior immigration violations by a parent on the same booking
• Incomplete travel history answers
• A passport flagged for a security check

However, in the overwhelming majority of cases, re-applying with the correct information resolves the issue. Note that the £20 fee stays non-refundable even when the application is turned down. The multiple-entry UK visa is also non-refundable for adults, so it is important to get all details right on the first application. Nevertheless, if a refusal is issued and the reason is unclear, families may seek independent immigration advice before re-applying.

UK ETA Cost for Children: Real-World Examples

Consider a Canadian family of two adults and three children planning a holiday to London. The total comes to £100 (5 × £20). Each application takes approximately 10 minutes, so the entire family can be sorted in under an hour. All five ETAs are valid for two years, meaning future trips to the UK within that period require no additional application or payment.

Specifically, for families visiting the UK regularly — such as those with relatives living in England or Scotland — the two-year validity makes that £20 per person work hard. Picture a family of four visiting three times over two years: they pay £80 once and nothing more across all three trips. That is why it pays to apply early and start the validity clock straight away.

The England family visa may also be relevant for some families, though it carries different eligibility criteria and higher fees than the ETA.

Comparing UK ETA vs Standard Visitor Visa for Children

The UK ETA (£20) is significantly cheaper and faster to process than a full visitor visa (from £115). However, the ETA is only available to citizens of eligible countries. Children holding passports from countries not on the ETA list — such as China, India, Pakistan, or South Africa — must apply for a Standard Visitor Visa instead, which involves a longer application form, possible biometric appointment, and higher fees.

Factor	UK ETA	Standard Visitor Visa
Cost (per child)	£20	From £115
Processing time	Hours to 3 days	3–8 weeks
Application method	Online / app	Online + appointment
Validity	Up to 2 years	6 months to 10 years
Eligible countries	40+ ETA countries	All other nationalities

Indeed, for families from ETA-eligible countries, the digital ETA system is a significant improvement over the previous visitor visa process. No physical visa label goes into the passport — approval is stored electronically and checked automatically when the child checks in for their flight.

What to Do at the Border with a Child’s UK ETA

When a child holding an approved ETA arrives at a UK border, the approval is read automatically as their passport is scanned. No separate document needs presenting — border officers see the approval status on their screens. However, parents should carry printed confirmation of the ETA approval as a backup, alongside any additional documents such as proof of accommodation and a return ticket.

According to the UK Border Force, children travelling unaccompanied (under 18) may be subject to additional checks to confirm their travel arrangements and the identity of whoever is meeting them (UK Border Force, 2025). A child travelling without both parents may be asked for a letter of consent from the absent parent, especially when arriving from certain countries.

The UK family visa provides additional guidance on what border officers look for when assessing a child’s entry. For families unsure whether their children qualify for expedited handling, the UK visa processing times guide is useful reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do children under 2 years old need a UK ETA?

Yes. All children, regardless of age, who hold a passport from an ETA-eligible country must have their own UK ETA. No minimum age is exempt.

Can I apply for my child’s UK ETA on their behalf?

Yes. Parents and guardians can complete the application on behalf of the child. You will need their passport to hand and must answer every question as it applies to the child.

Is the UK ETA fee refundable if travel plans change?

No. The £20 ETA fee is non-refundable regardless of circumstances. However, the ETA remains valid for up to two years, so it can be used for future travel if plans change.

What if my child has dual nationality — which passport should I use?

If one of your child’s passports is from an ETA-eligible country and the other is British or Irish, you should travel on the British or Irish passport, which requires no ETA. Always use the passport that provides the easiest entry.

Does my child need a separate ETA if they already have a UK student visa?

No. A current, valid UK visa (including a student visa) overrides the ETA requirement. Your child does not need an ETA if they hold a valid UK visa.

How long does a child’s UK ETA last?

A UK ETA is valid for two years from the date of issue, or until the linked passport expires — whichever comes first. The ETA allows multiple trips to the UK during this period.

What documents should I carry for my child when entering the UK?

Carry the child’s passport, printed ETA confirmation, return ticket, proof of accommodation, and — if travelling without one parent — a letter of consent from the absent parent.

Last updated: June 2026