United Kingdom visa guide: ETA, standard visitor visa and timings
UK entry requirements in 2026 — the £16 Electronic Travel Authorisation, the Standard Visitor visa, six-month stays, biometrics, fees and priority processing.
Non-visa nationals now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation costing £16, valid two years and usually granted within three working days. Visa nationals apply for a Standard Visitor visa costing around £127 for six months, with biometrics at a visa centre and a decision in about 3 weeks, or 5 working days with priority.
ETA: the new baseline
The Electronic Travel Authorisation now applies to nearly all visitors who previously arrived without a visa, including EU, US and Gulf nationals. It is applied for in the UK ETA app, tied to the passport, valid two years, and allows unlimited visits of up to six months.
Standard Visitor visa
For visa nationals, one visa covers tourism, business meetings, family visits and short study up to six months. You apply online, attend a visa application centre for fingerprints and photo, and upload evidence of funds, ties and travel plans. Two, five and ten year versions still cap each visit at six months.
What UK caseworkers look for
Genuine visitor rules focus on whether you will leave, can fund the trip without working, and are not making the UK your main home through frequent long visits. Bank statements should show a stable pattern rather than a large last-minute deposit.
Timelines
Standard decisions take around three weeks from biometrics; priority reduces this to about five working days and super priority to the next working day where offered. Peak season backlogs are real — apply as early as the three-month window allows.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a UK ETA?
If your nationality does not need a visa for short visits, yes — including for transit through most UK airports.
How much is a UK visitor visa?
Around £127 for the standard six-month visa; two, five and ten year multi-entry versions cost more.
How long can I stay in the UK as a visitor?
Up to six months per visit. Spending most of the year in the UK on visitor status will eventually be refused.