UK Visa Information Centre
UK ETA · Standard Visitor

Before you travelto the UK

Everything you need in one place: whether to apply for a UK visa or a UK travel authorisation, and what to prepare.

See UK visa types
  • UK ETAElectronic Travel Authorisation
  • Validity2 years
  • Stay per visitUp to 6 months
  • Fee£20
  • DecisionUp to 3 business days
02 — Key figures

UK travel visa at a glance

£20 ETA application fee As of September 2026 · non-refundable
6months Maximum stay per visit Applies to both ETA and Standard Visitor
2years ETA validity Or until your passport expires, whichever comes first
3business days ETA decision time Usually notified by email within 1 day
03 — Purpose of visit

Why are you travelling to the UK?

01 Tourism · business trips · visiting family UK ETA or Standard Visitor For a short visit, look at the ETA route first 02 Study · training Student Visa Undergraduate and postgraduate courses use the Student route 03 Work · overseas assignment Skilled Worker and other work visas An approved employer and sponsorship come first 04 Family · spouse Partner / Spouse Visa The minimum income requirement and proving your relationship are central
04 — Comparison

How does the UK ETA differ from a Standard Visitor Visa?

01

UK ETA

£20 Electronic Travel Authorisation

Nature
Electronic Travel Authorisation
Tourist stay
Normally up to 6 months
Cost (September 2026)
£20
How to apply
App or online
Decision
Usually within 1 day, up to 3 business days
General employment
Not permitted
Guarantee of entry
No
See how to apply for an ETA →
02

Standard Visitor Visa

£135 6-month Visitor visa

Nature
Entry Clearance for a visit
Tourist stay
Normally up to 6 months
Cost (September 2026)
£135 for 6 months
How to apply
Online application plus an identity check
Decision
Varies by visa type and place of application
General employment
Not permitted
Guarantee of entry
Even with a visa, you still face a final check at the border
See Visitor visa eligibility →
05 — How to apply

How a UK visa application works

  1. 01

    Check whether you need a visa or an ETA

    Start by working out which permission you need, based on your nationality and the purpose of your visit.

  2. 02

    Choose your application route

    Choose between an ETA, a Standard Visitor visa, or a purpose-specific visa for work, study or family.

  3. 03

    Complete the application and pay

    Enter your personal, travel, financial and immigration history details online, and pay the fee during the application.

  4. 04

    Verify your identity and submit documents

    For a visa you will usually provide biometrics such as fingerprints and a photograph, and submit your passport along with evidence suited to your purpose.

  5. 05

    Wait for the decision and check the result

    Check the outcome by email or in your account, and if approved, confirm your immigration status through your eVisa.

See the full application guide

06 — Visa status

Check the status of
the UK travel visa you applied for

You can check whether an ETA has been issued and when it expires using your passport details. If you have not yet received a decision, check the email address you registered when applying.

Check your UK travel visa Apply for a UK travel visa
07 — FAQ

Most frequently checked questions

01 As a Korean national, should I apply for an ETA or a Standard Visitor visa to go to the UK? Visas

As of September 2026, the Republic of Korea is on the list of nationalities eligible for the UK ETA. For ordinary tourism, visiting family and friends, or a permitted short business trip, the ETA route is normally considered first. However, if your purpose is work, long-term study or family migration, you need to apply for the UK visa that matches that purpose rather than an ETA.

02 How much does a UK ETA cost, and how do I apply? ETA

As of September 2026, the official ETA application fee is £20. You register your passport and a face photo and pay through the UK ETA app or the GOV.UK online service. The fee is generally non-refundable once you have applied, and every traveller needs their own ETA, so babies and children must each apply separately.

03 How long can I stay in the UK on an ETA? ETA

For an ordinary visit, you can normally stay for up to 6 months per visit. An ETA is valid for 2 years or until the passport used in the application expires, whichever comes first. Validity of 2 years does not mean you can stay in the UK continuously for 2 years.

04 How much do I need in my bank account for a UK travel authorisation? Visas

The Standard Visitor route has no fixed minimum bank balance applied uniformly to every applicant. The assessment takes account of the length of your trip, airfares, accommodation, living costs in the UK, the number of family members travelling with you, and your usual income and spending. If a large sum was suddenly deposited shortly before your application, you will need to explain where the money came from.

05 I have applied for an ETA — can I check its progress straight away? Status

No. Check your ETA is a service for confirming whether an ETA has already been issued and when it expires; it does not show the internal processing stage of a recent application. If you have not yet had a decision, first check the email address you used in your application, including your spam folder. If there is still no decision after 3 business days, contact the UKVI ETA help service.

06 If my ETA is refused, can I reapply straight away with the same details? Refusals

If the reason for the refusal is unchanged, it is very likely to be refused again. First work out whether it was a simple error in your information or a suitability issue, resolve the cause, and only then apply again. If you have a previous Visitor refusal or a criminal record, it may be more appropriate to consider switching to the Standard Visitor route rather than reapplying for an ETA repeatedly.

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