Can I work in the UK with an ETA or Standard Visitor Visa?

ETA and Standard Visitor permission allow only the activities listed in the visitor rules. They do not provide general permission to take employment in the United Kingdom.

Do I need a UK ETA if I am transiting?

Some transit passengers need ETA and others need a transit visa; exemptions also apply. Use the official GOV.UK checker with the passport and transit route, including whether UK border control will be crossed.

United Kingdom travel requirements

United Kingdom visa and entry requirements

Q: How long is the UK ETA valid?

A UK ETA is valid for two years or until the passport used to apply expires, whichever comes first. It allows multiple journeys while valid.

Check the visa and entry requirements for United Kingdom based on your passport and trip, then continue to the correct official route.

Start application How it works

Travellers walking beside the Thames in London

Check United Kingdom requirements

Select your passport country to see the visa and entry requirements that may apply for United Kingdom.

Know what you need

Check visa and entry requirements based on your passport and destination.

Official requirements, simplified

Clear guidance based on current government sources.

Official application routes

Go directly to the correct government application or information page.

Ready-to-apply checklist

Know what information and documents to prepare before you start.

Plan your trip with clear, practical guidance at every step.

eVisa Immigration is an independent travel-document service and is not affiliated with any government.

Travel documents made clearer

Visas, ETAs and arrival cards for destinations worldwide.

The United Kingdom uses both digital authorisation and visitor visa routes. Many visa-exempt travellers need the UK ETA for short trips, while visa-required travellers need the UK Standard Visitor Visa or another visa type before travel.

Check requirements

Check your requirements

Visa-exempt travellers may need a UK ETA for short visits, while visa-required travellers need the appropriate UK visa. Your route depends on your passport, travel purpose and intended stay.

Who needs a visa or travel document?

Visa, travel-authorisation and declaration requirements for United Kingdom depend on passport, purpose, route and intended stay. Check the official source linked with the relevant option for the current rule that applies to you.

The traveller must hold the visa, authorisation or exemption required for the journey before departure.

For work, study, residence or other travel purposes, check the relevant government requirements separately.

Other visa and entry options

Other options may apply depending on your passport, travel purpose and intended stay:

UK transit visa: Some travellers need a Direct Airside Transit Visa or Visitor in Transit Visa. The answer depends on passport, route and whether the traveller passes through UK border control; use the official GOV.UK checker.

United Kingdom visa and entry options

Compare the documents that may apply to your trip, including who they are for, permitted stays and processing guidance.

Electronic travel authorisation

UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Eligible non-visa nationals who must obtain an ETA before travelling to the United Kingdom.

Allows

Multiple short visits for permitted purposes, normally for up to six months per visit, subject to the visitor rules.

Validity

Two years or until the passport used to apply expires, whichever comes first.

Entries

Multiple journeys while valid

Maximum stay

Normally up to six months per visit, subject to the purpose-specific visitor rules.

Official processing guidance

Apply before travel and wait for the Home Office decision email before departure.

Start this service

You can also apply directly through the official government website without paying our service fee. Government fees may still apply.

Visitor visa

UK Standard Visitor Visa

Visa nationals and other travellers who need a Standard Visitor Visa for a permitted short visit.

Allows

Tourism, visiting family or friends, certain business and study activities, and other purposes permitted by the visitor rules.

Validity

The visa's use-by date and number of entries are shown on the decision and visa record. Long-term options have separate conditions.

Entries

As stated on the issued visa.

Maximum stay

Usually up to six months per visit; some permitted purposes have different limits.

Official processing guidance

Use the current UKVI processing-time service for the application location; service standards can vary.

Apply on the official government website

What to prepare

Have these details and documents ready before you apply. Additional documents may be requested depending on your passport, travel purpose or application.

The passport that will be used for travel

Current contact, itinerary and accommodation information

A compliant photograph where the application requests one

Purpose-specific evidence requested by the issuing authority

Processing times

Processing times vary by document and authority. Use the official guidance shown with the relevant option and apply early enough for government review.

Plan around official processing times

Government processing times can vary. Apply early and use the guidance shown for the document you need.

Continue to the official application

Visa, travel-authorisation and entry decisions are made by the relevant government and border authorities.

Your application checklist

Confirm the right route, prepare your details and documents, then continue to the official application when you are ready.

Check your requirements

Start with your passport country and destination to see the relevant travel document route.

Complete the online form

Use the official United Kingdom application or declaration service linked from the relevant route.

Upload required documents

Provide only the passport, photograph, travel and purpose-specific evidence requested by the authority.

Review your details

Check that your application details match your passport and travel itinerary exactly.

Submit your application

Submit through the official authority and retain its receipt or reference number.

Receive updates by email

Keep the authority's decision and any government emails accessible while travelling.

Prepare with confidence

Follow a clear route from checking requirements to preparing the details requested by the relevant authority.

Before you travel

Keep government decisions and confirmations accessible, and check the official rules again before departure.

Check that your passport validity meets the destination rules

Confirm your travel dates and accommodation details

Review the latest entry conditions before departure

Carry the approved document if required, digitally or printed

Keep government emails and status updates accessible while travelling

Requirements can change before departure

United Kingdom travel document questions

Answers to common questions about United Kingdom visas and entry requirements.

ETA is electronic permission to travel for eligible non-visa nationals. A Standard Visitor Visa is the visa route for travellers who need one; eligibility depends on passport and purpose, and the official UK checker gives the required route.

Check what you need for your trip

Check your requirements for United Kingdom and continue to the relevant official application route.

Check requirements Browse destinations