What is ESTA, UK ETA and ETIAS? Travel authorisations explained

What a travel authorisation is

A travel authorisation is an online pre-clearance for people who can visit a country without a visa. It is not a visa. You apply on a government website before you travel, and your airline or border officer checks it. The final decision about entry is still made at the border.

Having one does not replace your passport, and getting one does not mean you can stay as long as you like: the usual limits on visa-free stays still apply. If you are not eligible for a travel authorisation, you will usually need to apply for a visa instead.

Three schemes matter most to US and UK travelers:ESTA for the United States, the UK ETA for the United Kingdom, and ETIAS for countries in the Schengen area. They look alike, but who needs them, what they cost and whether they are live all differ.

ESTA, UK ETA and ETIAS at a glance

ESTA: visiting the United States

ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is for citizens of countries in the US Visa Waiver Program, which includes the United Kingdom. If you are travelling (traveling) under the Visa Waiver Program, you need an approved ESTA before you board your flight.

• Apply at least 72 hours before you travel. Earlier is better, so there is time to sort out any problem.
• Apply only on the official site: esta.cbp.dhs.gov (opens in a new tab).
• Check the fee and how long an approval lasts on the official site; do not rely on figures from other websites.
• Use the passport you will travel with, and check every detail before you submit.

If you are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, you may need a US visa instead. Check the official source before you travel. Planning a US trip? See our United States guide.

UK ETA: visiting the United Kingdom

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is needed by most visitors who do not need a visa, including people who are only transiting through the UK. It has been mandatory for US citizens since 25 February 2026.

• Cost: £16.
• How long it lasts: 2 years.
• Where to apply: only on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).
• Irish citizens are not required to get one; they travel under the Common Travel Area.

Apply before you book connecting flights through a UK airport, as transit passengers are included. Check on GOV.UK what is needed for each person in your group, including children. For trip ideas, see our United Kingdom guide.

ETIAS and EES: visiting the Schengen area

ETIAS

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will be a travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors to countries in the Schengen area. It will cost €20 and be valid for 3 years. It is not live yet, and launch is expected in 2027 at the earliest. Until it starts, there is nothing to apply for, and any site taking ETIAS payments now is not the official one.

Follow updates only on the official site: travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en (opens in a new tab).

EES

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is separate from ETIAS. It is not something you apply for. At your first entry, your fingerprints and a photo are taken at the border, so allow extra time at passport control. Details are on the official EES page (opens in a new tab).

The 90/180 rule and your passport

Visa-free short stays in the Schengen area are limited to up to 90 days in any 180, and days in all Schengen countries count together. Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond the day you leave the Schengen area.

A note on Canada’s eTA

Canada has a similar scheme, the eTA. Visa-exempt travelers who are flying to or through Canada need one, and it costs CAD $7. It is not needed when arriving by land or sea, and US citizens are not asked for one. Apply only on the official Government of Canada site (opens in a new tab). See also our Canada guide.

How to apply safely

Many unofficial websites look official and charge extra to “process” an application you could make yourself. Some are slow; a few are scams. The safest habit is simple: only ever apply through the government addresses linked in this guide.

Before you apply, have ready

• The passport you will travel with, with plenty of validity left
• A payment card for the fee, where there is one
• An email address you check, for the confirmation
• Your travel plans and the address where you will stay, if asked
• Passport details for everyone in your group, including children

1. Type the official address yourself or use the links in this guide, rather than clicking an ad in search results.
2. Have your passport in front of you and copy every detail exactly.
3. Apply early, and well before any minimum deadline.
4. Save the confirmation email and a screenshot of the approval.
5. Check the official site again a few weeks before you travel, because rules change.

In Wayfold, the entry-requirement assistant checks your passport dates against your trip and reminds you to apply for ESTA, UK ETA or ETIAS, linking only to these official sites. The app is coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Frequently asked questions