Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK
What you can and cannot do with an ETA
Whether you need to apply for an ETA depends on why you’re travelling to the UK.
An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. If you have a criminal record or you were previously refused entry into the UK, you may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead.
What you can do with an ETA
You can:
- come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, on a business trip or for short-term study
- come to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
- come to the UK for a permitted paid engagement
- transit through a UK airport if you’ll pass through border control - check with your airline if you are not sure
If you’re coming to the UK for another reason, check if you need a visa instead.
What you cannot do with an ETA
You cannot:
- stay in the UK for longer than 6 months
- do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you’re doing a permitted paid engagement or event or work on the Creative Worker visa concession
- claim public funds (benefits)
- live in the UK through frequent or successive visits
- marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership - you need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa