Travel permits: official links and real fees
Electronic travel permits like the US ESTA and Canada's eTA are quick to get online, but copycat websites charge many times the official fee. Here are the official sites and fees for British travellers, checked on 14 October 2026.
- Use the official website, ideally from the link on GOV.UK's travel advice for that country, not a search ad.
- Check the address: official sites end in government domains such as .gov, canada.ca, gov.au, govt.nz or europa.eu.
- Watch for small print such as "not affiliated with any government" or extra "processing" or "service" fees.
- Some airlines and holiday companies link to paid services rather than the official site. MoneySavingExpert found a US ESTA sold for £51.43 when the official fee was about £30, and Australia's free eVisitor sold for £16.52.
- No one can sell you ETIAS yet. It isn't running, and GOV.UK says any website selling it now is doing so fraudulently.
Every permit below is linked to your passport. If you renew your passport, you need to apply again with the new passport. Check your passport is valid for your trip before you apply.
USA: ESTA
- Official fee
- $40.27 (rising to $40.62 on 16 October 2026)
- Lasts
- 2 years, or until your passport expires
- When
- Apply as soon as you plan your trip. Needed by air, sea and land.
- Good to know
- You need an electronic passport (with the chip symbol). Some people can't use ESTA, including anyone who has visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011, or Cuba since 12 January 2021, and anyone with certain arrests or convictions. They need a visa instead.
Canada: eTA
- Official fee
- CAN$7
- Lasts
- Up to 5 years, or until your passport expires
- When
- Usually approved within minutes. Only needed if you fly in, not by car, train, bus or cruise ship.
- Good to know
- Dual British-Canadian citizens must travel on a Canadian passport instead.
Australia: eVisitor (free) or ETA
- Official fee
- eVisitor: free. ETA: AUD 20 (through the official Australian ETA app)
- Lasts
- 12 months, for stays of up to 3 months each time
- When
- Apply before you travel, from outside Australia.
- Good to know
- British citizens can use the free eVisitor. The ETA costs AUD 20 and is applied for through the official app.
New Zealand: NZeTA
- Official fee
- NZD 17 in the official app (NZD 23 online), plus the NZD 100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy
- Lasts
- 2 years
- When
- Allow 72 hours. Needed if you fly in or arrive on a cruise ship.
- Good to know
- You also complete a free New Zealand Traveller Declaration from 24 hours before you travel.
Sri Lanka: ETA
- Official fee
- Free for British nationals for stays of up to 30 days (since 25 May 2026)
- Lasts
- 30 days
- When
- Apply online before you travel.
- Good to know
- Your passport must be valid for 6 months from the day you arrive.
Kenya: eTA
- Official fee
- From US$30
- Lasts
- Check when you apply
- When
- Apply at least 2 weeks before you travel. Processing usually takes up to 3 working days.
- Good to know
- From 5 October 2026 most visitors must also buy Kenyan government travel health insurance, usually as part of the eTA application.
Israel: ETA-IL
- Official fee
- 25 shekels
- Lasts
- Up to 2 years, or until your passport expires
- When
- Apply before you travel.
- Good to know
- Check the FCDO travel advice for Israel before planning a trip.
South Korea: K-ETA
- Official fee
- Not needed for British citizens until 31 December 2026
- When
- British visitors are temporarily exempt until 31 December 2026.
- Good to know
- You may still need the free e-Arrival Card. GOV.UK warns that other sites offering K-ETA are generally scams.
Europe: EES and ETIAS
You don't need a travel permit for Europe yet. Since October 2025 the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) takes your fingerprints and photo at the border, which is free and needs nothing in advance. ETIAS, a €20 online travel authorisation, will be needed later, but no start date has been announced.
Family members who aren't British: UK ETA
British and Irish citizens don't need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation. If someone in your family has another nationality (for example an American, Australian or EU citizen), they usually need a UK ETA to visit or come home with you. It costs £20 through GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app, and lasts 2 years or until their passport expires. Dual British citizens can't get one and must travel on a British passport, or another passport with a certificate of entitlement.
Arrival cards (free)
Some countries ask for a free online arrival form, such as Thailand's Digital Arrival Card (within 3 days before arrival) or New Zealand's Traveller Declaration. The official versions are free.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a new ESTA or eTA when I renew my passport?
Yes. ESTA, Canada's eTA, Australia's ETA and New Zealand's NZeTA are all linked to your passport. When you get a new passport, apply again with the new passport number.
How much does an ESTA cost?
The official fee is $40.27 (rising to $40.62 on 16 October 2026), paid on the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Other websites charge much more for the same thing.
Is ETIAS needed for Europe yet?
No. ETIAS isn't running yet and no start date has been announced. GOV.UK warns that any website selling ETIAS now is doing so fraudulently.
Do British citizens need a UK ETA?
No. British and Irish citizens don't need a UK ETA. Family members with other nationalities usually do: it costs £20 on GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app.
Fees can change. Always confirm on the official site before you pay. Sources: each country's official immigration site linked above, GOV.UK foreign travel advice, the US Federal Register (ESTA fee, 1 October 2026) and MoneySavingExpert (9 June 2026).