6 Pre-Arrival Travel Authorisations to Get Before You Fly: UK ETA, ESTA, eTA, ETIAS and More
Visa-free no longer means paperwork-free: the UK, US, Canada, Australia and South Korea all screen visa-exempt visitors online before departure, at costs from about $5 to $41. Europe's ETIAS is the next one coming, due in the final quarter of 2026 at €7 per application. Here is what each permit costs, how long it lasts, and where the only official application page lives.
1. UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Cost: £20 | Covers: up to 6 months per visit | Apply: gov.uk only
Most visitors from the US, Canada, Australia and Europe need an ETA to visit the UK, including babies and children. British and Irish passport holders are exempt, and the government warns that third-party sites may charge more. Check your nationality on the official visa checker first.
2. US ESTA (Visa Waiver Program)
Cost: $40.27 | Validity: generally 2 years | Stay: up to 90 days per visit
USA.gov explains that an approved ESTA allows multiple trips until it expires or your passport does, whichever comes first. Processing can take up to 72 hours, so apply well ahead through the official CBP site, not a lookalike.
3. Canada eTA
Cost: CAD $7 | Needed if: you fly in on a visa-exempt passport | Exempt: US citizens, US permanent residents
Canada's eTA requires a valid passport, a credit or debit card and an email address. Most applications are approved within minutes, though some applicants get an email asking for documents within 72 hours. Citizens of some additional countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia, became eligible on May 26, 2026.
4. Australia Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
Stay: up to 3 months per entry | Validity: multiple visits across 12 months | Apply: official Home Affairs route
The ETA 601 lets eligible passport holders visit as often as they like in a 12-month period, staying up to three months each time. Confirm the current service charge on the Home Affairs page before paying, since unofficial sites often add their own fees.
5. EU ETIAS (not live yet)
Cost: €7 | Validity: 3 years or until passport expiry | Status: expected Q4 2026
The EU says ETIAS is expected to launch in late 2026 and that no action is required from travellers yet. The only official site is europa.eu/etias, so ignore anyone selling "early" applications. The Entry/Exit System, which ETIAS depends on, is already running; one industry tracker reports it became fully operational on April 10, 2026.
6. South Korea K-ETA (exempt for now)
Cost: 10,000 KRW (about $8) if you apply voluntarily | Exemption runs to: December 31, 2026
South Korea extended its K-ETA exemption for 67 countries and territories, including the US, Canada, Japan, Australia and most EU members, through the end of 2026. Applying anyway can spare you the e-Arrival Card at the border. The official portal is k-eta.go.kr. Trips after December 31 should be checked again.
Quick comparison: what you will actually pay
Cheapest to priciest, the permits run roughly: Canada eTA (CAD $7), ETIAS (€7, once live), K-ETA (about $8, optional), UK ETA (£20) and US ESTA ($40.27). Only the ESTA and UK ETA are effectively mandatory for most visa-free visitors today; Canada requires the eTA for air arrivals, and Australia requires its ETA unless you hold another visa. Book flights only after the permit is approved or, at minimum, once you know the processing window.
People also ask
Do I need an ESTA if I'm only transiting through the US?
Yes, if you are travelling on a Visa Waiver Program passport and will pass through a US airport, you generally still need an approved ESTA. It costs $40.27 and is valid for about two years. Apply through the official CBP website at least 72 hours before departure.
Is the UK ETA the same as a visa?
No. An ETA is a lighter digital permission for nationals who don't need a visa for short visits, costing £20 and lasting up to six months per trip. It does not guarantee entry, and officers can still refuse you at the border. See the UK government guidance.
When does ETIAS start, and what will it cost?
The EU expects ETIAS to launch in late 2026 at €7 per application, valid for three years or until your passport expires. Applications aren't open yet, and travellers need to do nothing for now. Only the official EU channels will announce the exact start date.
Do Americans need a Canadian eTA?
No. US citizens are exempt from the eTA, as are US lawful permanent residents. Visa-exempt travellers from other countries need one when flying to Canada, at CAD $7 through the official application page.
Facts checked against official government sources as of October 1, 2026; rules and fees change, so confirm on the official site before booking.