Your next step, made clear
An electronic travel authorisation is linked to your trip or passport. Arrange it before departure.
Prepare your application
Apply through GOV.UK or its official ETA app.
Submit through the official channel
Use the official GOV.UK ETA service. Check the current instructions and total government charges before paying.
Review the decision before departure
Check the passport details, dates and entry conditions on the permission you receive.
Check your trip dates
Count your travel days and compare your passport expiry with the entry rule.
What to prepare for your trip
Check each item as you prepare it. Labels show which documents are required, conditional, or recommended.
Your circumstances may require additional documents. Ticks track preparation, not eligibility or admission.
Costs & timing
Visa fees and decision times for this route. Check the official service for your final amount.
Government fees
- Per person
- GBP 20
Decision time
1–3 working days
Usually within a day; allow up to three working days. Check your email and wait for approval before traveling.
A processing estimate is not a guaranteed travel date.
Permission validity
2 years
Or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Validity is separate from how long you can stay on each visit.
Details that can change your plans
New passport, new ETA
An ETA is linked to the passport used to apply. A renewed passport needs its own ETA.
Official guidanceCheck whether you already have permission
British or Irish passport holders and people with UK permission to live, work or study may not need an ETA. Check before paying.
Official guidanceInclude children in your plans
Each traveler who needs an ETA needs their own, including babies and children.
An ETA lets you travel, not enter
An ETA is not a visa and does not guarantee admission. It authorises travel to the UK; you still need permission to enter when you arrive, and Border Force can refuse entry.
Use the official UK ETA service
Apply through GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app. GOV.UK says another website or app cannot get a faster decision; wait for the approval email before travelling.
Practical tips for United Kingdom
Small preparation steps to keep your travel information within reach.
Plan a genuine short visit
Visitors must come for a permitted activity, intend to leave at the end of the visit and avoid using repeated or successive visits to live in the UK. These visitor conditions still apply when your nationality does not require a visa.
Follow the visitor work limits
Standard Visitors cannot do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, except for specified permitted paid engagements. Visitors also cannot claim public funds or use repeated trips to live in the UK.
United Kingdom at a glance
- Capital
- London
- Currency
- GBP
- Calling code
- +44
Questions for this route
Do travelers with an ordinary passport from New Zealand need a visa for United Kingdom?
For tourism in United Kingdom, travelers using an ordinary passport from New Zealand should arrange electronic travel authorisation before travel. Apply through GOV.UK or its official ETA app. The published short-visit limit is 6 months per visit; follow any shorter period on your granted permission.
How long can I stay in United Kingdom?
The short-visit limit is 6 months per visit. Your actual permission can be shorter; check the dates and conditions you receive.
How much passport validity do I need?
Valid for your entire stay.
How much is the government fee?
GBP 20 per person. Check the official payment page for exemptions and any additional charges.
How long does a decision take?
1–3 working days. Usually within a day; allow up to three working days. Check your email and wait for approval before traveling.
How long is the authorisation valid?
2 years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. This is different from the permitted length of each visit.
What if I’m going to work, study or stay longer?
This guide is for a short tourist visit on an ordinary passport. It does not establish eligibility for employment, study or residence. Use the destination’s official guidance for your actual purpose.
Does my country of residence change the answer?
Passport nationality and legal residence are different. This page starts with your passport. Residence can change where you apply and which application channel is available; an existing visa or residence permit may also create an exception. Check the official eligibility guidance for your circumstances.
Official websites
Use these government websites to confirm requirements and complete any application.
Open the official GOV.UK ETA service
Apply through GOV.UK or its official ETA app.
Check ETA eligibility
Nationality, existing permission and transit exceptions.
Check UK visitor conditions
Allowed activities and whether you need a different visa.
About this guide
This guide covers short tourist visits on an ordinary passport. Your nationality, residence, travel document and purpose can affect the entry conditions. Check the linked official guidance before travel; the border authority decides admission and your permitted stay.
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