UK ETA for Canadians in 2026: £20 Fee, Two-Year Validity and Transit Rules
Canadians generally need a UK ETA for eligible visa-free travel in 2026. It costs £20, lasts up to two years and is linked to your passport.
Updated: August 31, 2026
A Canadian passport no longer means simply boarding a UK-bound flight and dealing with entry on arrival. For most eligible visits, Canadians need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA, before travelling to the UK.
The current cost and validity
The UK government lists the ETA fee as £20. An approved ETA lasts for two years or until the passport used for the application expires, whichever happens first. You can make multiple eligible trips while it remains valid.
Every traveller needs their own ETA
- Adults need one.
- Children and babies need one.
- An ETA is linked to the passport used in the application.
- If you replace that passport, you need a new ETA.
Transit is where people get confused
You generally need an ETA if your UK airport transit requires you to pass through border control. If you remain airside without crossing the border, an ETA may not be required. The safest practical move is to confirm the transfer process with the airline for your specific tickets and airport.
Apply through the official system
The UK government warns that other websites may charge more. The official app or GOV.UK application route is the cleanest option. Decisions are often quick, but the government advises allowing up to three working days.
Quick questions
How much is the UK ETA in 2026?
£20 per applicant.
Do children need a UK ETA?
Yes. Each traveller, including babies and children, needs their own authorization if they fall under the requirement.
The lovely part
It is one more thing to do before London, but once approved it quietly sits behind your passport for future trips until it expires.
Keep exploring our Passports & Visas guides for more current travel stuff.