Before you board: most visitors now need either a visa or an electronic travel authorisation, and physical visa stickers are being replaced by eVisas.
✓ Last checked against gov.uk: July 2026An ETA costs £20 — and everyone needs their own, including children and babies. Only apply through the official gov.uk service; other websites charge more.
An ETA lets you travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for visits of up to 6 months — for tourism, visiting family or certain other reasons.
An ETA does not guarantee entry — a Border Force officer makes the final decision. Nationals of Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia typically use the ETA; others need a Standard Visitor visa.
Moving belongings, cash over £10,000, food or medicines across the UK border all have their own rules — check the official guidance in gov.uk's "Travelling to the UK" section before you pack.
Sources: gov.uk — Electronic travel authorisation · gov.uk — Visas and immigration
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