When preparing to visit the UK, the UK ETA is now the first item on the list for most visa-exempt travelers, and etourist.com’s own guidance includes practical pointers worth borrowing. This guide sorts them by situation and checks each one against GOV.UK rules.
| Your situation | Key point | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Traveling with children | Every child needs their own ETA | Apply for each person |
| Passport expiring soon | The ETA ends with the passport | Renew first, then apply |
| Also a British citizen | You cannot get an ETA | Travel on a British passport or certificate of entitlement |
| Past conviction or refusal | An ETA may be refused | Consider a Standard Visitor visa |
| Changing planes in the UK | Border control decides it | Check whether you go landside |
| Short-notice trip | Reviews can take 3 working days | Apply as early as you can |
Traveling as a Family With Children
[IMAGE: preparing-for-a-uk-trip.webp]
Each person needs their own ETA, including babies and children. eTourist adds two practical points: each child pays the full government fee, and parents can complete the applications on their behalf.
- For applicants under 18, the UK ETA app asks for a parent’s contact details.
- Children under 6 do not need to look at the camera or hold a plain expression in the photo.
- Babies under 1 may have their eyes closed.
- The app’s face scan applies from age 10.
Tip. Take the children’s photos first, in daylight against a plain light-coloured wall, and leave time for a retake. Young children rarely hold still on the first try.
Budget for the fees per head. The £20 government fee applies to every family member, and on the eTourist route the service fee comes on top.
If Your Passport Expires Soon
An ETA lasts 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. eTourist’s UK ETA page makes the practical point: a new passport means a new ETA, so time the application around the renewal to avoid paying twice.
- Check the expiry date on the passport you plan to travel on.
- If renewal is due before or soon after the trip, renew first.
- Apply for the ETA with the new passport.
Note. The ETA is linked to one specific passport. If you switch to a different passport, even a valid one, GOV.UK says you need to apply again.
If You Also Hold British Citizenship
Dual citizens who are British or Irish cannot apply for an ETA. GOV.UK says they must travel on a valid passport or a certificate of entitlement proving their right of abode.
Ahead of enforcement on 25 February 2026, the government strongly advised dual British citizens to hold a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement to avoid problems such as being denied boarding. It also said carriers may accept some expired British passports at their discretion, and that certificates of entitlement would be issued in digital form from 26 February 2026.
Warning. Your other passport will not carry an ETA, because you are not eligible for one. Sort out the British document before you book.
If You Have a Past Conviction or Refusal
The ETA asks suitability and criminality questions, and the Immigration Rules set out when an application must be refused. The grounds include a custodial or suspended sentence of 12 months or more, any conviction in the previous 12 months, past immigration breaches and false information.
Tip. GOV.UK suggests that people with criminal records or previous refusals of entry consider a Standard Visitor visa instead. An ETA refusal cannot be appealed, though a visa application remains open.
If You Change Planes in the UK
The deciding question is whether you pass through UK border control. Staying airside means no ETA, and the Home Office says that currently applies to transit at Heathrow and Manchester. Going landside, for example to re-check bags or stay overnight, means you need one.
eTourist’s advice for unclear cases is simply to apply, since one ETA covers repeat trips for 2 years. GOV.UK’s advice is to check with your airline. Both point the same way: settle the question before the day of travel.
If the Trip Includes Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man
One ETA covers more than the UK mainland. GOV.UK says it lets you travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man for up to 6 months, so an island leg does not need a separate permission.
Good to know. The exemptions work in the other direction too. People with permission to live, work or study in Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man do not need an ETA.
Preparing a UK ETA With etourist.com
Several of eTourist’s pointers apply on any route. The company warns against applying at the airport, because a manual review can take up to 3 working days and carriers deny boarding without a valid ETA. It also notes that a mistyped passport number or a rejected photo can lead to a refused application and a lost fee.
If you use the service, its review happens before submission, so allow for it on top of the government’s time. If you apply directly on GOV.UK, the fee is £20 and the same timing advice holds. This guide is general information, not immigration advice.
Last-Minute Questions Before You Fly
My ETA was approved a while ago. Is it still valid?
If it is within 2 years of approval and the passport has not changed or expired, yes. The GOV.UK check service confirms the expiry date using that passport.
Do I need to carry a printout?
The ETA is linked digitally to your passport, and etourist.com notes there is nothing to print between trips. Carry the passport you applied with.
What if a detail on my approved ETA is wrong?
GOV.UK says that if you need to change the details in your application, you need to apply again. Do it before you travel, not at the airport.
Can I still apply the day before?
You can, but most decisions arrive within a day and some take up to 3 working days. Without an approval email, you should not travel.
A Final Prep Checklist
- ETA approved for every traveler, children included
- Approval linked to the passport each person will carry
- Dual British citizens holding a British passport or certificate of entitlement
- Transit plan checked for any landside step
- Visit planned within 6 months and within visitor activities
- Approval emails saved where you can find them