# UK ETA: what groups visiting the UK need to know

Source: https://www.roamlytravel.com/guides/uk-eta-for-visiting-groups  
Publisher: Roamly Travel  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-30  
Audience: Universities, Schools, Sports teams, Production crews, Event organisers, Corporate groups

## Short answer

Most visitors to the UK who do not need a visa must hold a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel, and that includes babies and children. It costs £20, lasts 2 years or until the passport expires, and each person needs their own. British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens, are exempt and cannot get one. A coordinator can apply for others, and airlines now check before boarding.

## Key takeaways

- Every visitor needs their own ETA, including babies and children. There is no group ETA.
- An ETA costs £20 and is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner, for multiple visits of up to 6 months each.
- British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens, cannot get an ETA and must show a British or Irish passport or a certificate of entitlement.
- Children named on the France-UK school trip travel information form do not need an ETA or visa.
- Apply at least 3 working days before travel using the official app or GOV.UK, and travel on the same passport you applied with.

## Who needs a UK ETA?

An ETA is a digital permission to travel for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays. GOV.UK says visitors from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada and certain other countries usually need one. The UK government's [guidance](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta) links to a checker so you can confirm by nationality. Airlines and other carriers must confirm that passengers hold a valid ETA, eVisa or other valid documentation before boarding, and they will stop passengers who lack one.

An ETA covers tourism, visiting family and certain other short-term reasons, for stays of up to 6 months. It does not guarantee entry, and it does not let anyone work or study. A visiting orchestra, sports team or conference delegation should check whether paid work, performance or other activities need a different visa before relying on an ETA.

An ETA is also needed by connecting passengers who pass through UK border control. Airside transit at some airports, where passengers do not go through passport control, does not need one, but check with your airline.

## Who is exempt from the ETA?

*Main ETA exemptions (GOV.UK, checked 30 October 2026)*

| Traveller | ETA needed? | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens | No, and they cannot get one | Show a British or Irish passport, or another valid passport with a certificate of entitlement. |
| People with a UK visa or permission to live, work or study in the UK | No | Includes settled or pre-settled status and right of abode. |
| People who need a visa to visit the UK | No, they apply for a visa instead |  |
| Children named on the France-UK school trip travel information form | No | The form also lets EU, EEA and Swiss children enter on a national identity card. |
| Airside transit passengers who do not pass border control | No | Check with your airline. |

A school group from France can use the France-UK school trip travel information form. For schools in other countries, GOV.UK says all schoolchildren need a passport, and children of other nationalities may also need a visa or ETA. The old List of Travellers scheme is no longer in operation.

## How much does an ETA cost and how long does it last?

*UK ETA at a glance (GOV.UK, checked 30 October 2026)*

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Fee | £20 per person. GOV.UK says the fee is kept under review. |
| Validity | 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner. |
| Journeys | Multiple journeys, with stays of up to 6 months each time. |
| Decision | Usually within a day, but can take up to 3 working days. |
| Linked to | The passport used to apply. You travel on that passport. |
| Help | Webchat only. UKVI cannot help with ETA enquiries by phone. |

The official site warns that other websites may charge more and imitate government services. Apply through the UK ETA app or GOV.UK only. A new passport has a new number, so anyone who renews after getting an ETA should check that their ETA matches the passport they will carry.

## How does a coordinator apply for a whole group?

Each person in the group needs their own ETA, but GOV.UK says you can apply for other people. That lets a teacher, tour leader or event organiser collect details and submit the applications. The practical work is collecting the data, so treat it like any other document check.

1. **Collect passport details early.** You need a clear passport photo page and a compliant photo for each traveller, plus contact details.
2. **Sort travellers by nationality.** British and Irish citizens, and anyone with UK status, do not apply. Everyone else does.
3. **Pay and submit.** Each application is paid for separately at £20. Plan how the cost will be recovered.
4. **Apply at least 3 working days before travel.** The Home Office factsheet recommends this to allow for cases that need review. Build in a longer margin for groups.
5. **Record every approval.** Check the name and passport number match what the traveller will carry.

Applicants must answer suitability and criminality questions, so collect accurate details from each person rather than guessing. Our [passport and visa checklist](https://www.roamlytravel.com/guides/passport-visa-checklist-group-travel) explains how to build the register.

## What about dual nationals and international students in the group?

British-Irish and other dual British citizens cannot get an ETA. From 25 February 2026, GOV.UK says carriers check for a valid British or Irish passport, or another valid passport with a certificate of entitlement, so a dual national arriving on a foreign passport alone can be stopped at check-in. Our guide to dual nationals on group trips covers this in detail.

International students who already live in the UK have immigration status and need no ETA, but overseas students joining a UK trip for a short visit, without UK status, usually do need one. See international students on university trips for visa and re-entry.

## How Roamly can help

Roamly Travel plans routes for groups visiting the UK from overseas, including airport transfers and ground logistics, and builds entry-permission deadlines into the trip plan. Use our free [travel document checklist](https://www.roamlytravel.com/travel-document-checklist) and [trip timeline builder](https://www.roamlytravel.com/trip-timeline-builder), see our [logistics service](https://www.roamlytravel.com/services/logistics), or [contact us](https://www.roamlytravel.com/contact).

## Frequently asked questions

### Does a group need one ETA or one per person?

One per person. GOV.UK says each person travelling needs an ETA, including babies and children. One coordinator can submit the applications for others.

### Do children need a UK ETA?

Yes, unless an exemption applies. GOV.UK says every traveller needs one, including babies and children. Children named on the France-UK school trip travel information form are exempt.

### How long before travel should a group apply?

The Home Office factsheet recommends at least 3 working days before travel. Most decisions come within a day, but a group should leave a wider margin in case any applicant needs review.

### Does an ETA guarantee entry to the UK?

No. GOV.UK says an ETA does not guarantee entry. A border officer makes the final decision on arrival.

### Can Irish citizens apply for an ETA?

They do not need one. British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens, are exempt and cannot get an ETA.

## Sources

- [GOV.UK: apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta)
- [GOV.UK: ETA overview and apply](https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply)
- [GOV.UK: when you do not need an ETA](https://www.gov.uk/eta/when-not-need-eta)
- [GOV.UK: visiting the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visiting-the-uk-as-an-eu-eea-or-swiss-citizen)
- [Home Office: ETA factsheet, April 2026](https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-factsheet-april-2026/)
- [GOV.UK: UK enforces digital permission to travel](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-enforces-digital-permission-to-travel)