UK ETA guidance
UK ETA vs UK visa
ETA and a visa are different immigration routes. An ETA is advance permission to travel for eligible travellers and trip types, while a visa is a separate permission route that may be needed for a different nationality, purpose, duration or personal circumstance.
Use this page when you need a straightforward comparison without over-simplifying the legal rules that still sit underneath the travel decision.
Important disclosure
Independent service
ETAApply is an independent application assistance service and is not affiliated with the UK Government. The official government application service is available through GOV.UK. ETAApply provides additional application assistance and support.
Official GOV.UK links
Check the official guidance
What ETA covers
An ETA is pre-travel permission for eligible trips
Where it applies, ETA can cover tourism, visiting family or friends, business trips, short-term study, permitted paid engagements and some transit cases. A government application fee applies.
That still does not make ETA the same as permission to enter, and it does not turn every travel purpose into an ETA purpose.
- Travel permission, not automatic entry
- Restricted to the official ETA travel purposes
- Linked to nationality and circumstances
What visas do
A visa is a separate route for different travel needs
A visa may be needed because of nationality, travel purpose, length of stay or another immigration circumstance. The right route depends on what you plan to do, not on whether ETA feels simpler.
If GOV.UK says you should use a visa route, follow that guidance. An ETA does not replace a visa when a visa is the correct answer.
When ETA is not enough
Some trips still sit outside the ETA route
ETA does not allow longer stays, ordinary paid or unpaid work outside the permitted exceptions, claiming public funds, or using frequent or successive visits to live in the UK.
It also does not cover every marriage or civil-partnership case. For those situations, the visa guidance is the place to check.
- Longer stays are outside ETA scope
- Most work situations need a different route
- Marriage and civil partnership rules are separate
Official guidance
Use GOV.UK if you are unsure between the two routes
The official checker and ETA guidance are the safest way to decide which route you need. If you have a criminal record or a previous refusal, GOV.UK says you may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead.
That is why this comparison page should be used as a guide to the decision, not as a substitute for the official checker itself.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about UK ETA vs UK visa
Is a UK ETA the same as a UK visa?
Which route should I use if I am unsure?
Can an ETA cover all visitor trips?
Does an ETA guarantee that I will be admitted?
If I have a criminal record, can I still use ETA?
Related UK ETA guides