Last reviewed: March 2026. This guide reflects UK eTA rules as of 2026. Written by Jane Doe, a travel consultant with 8+ years of experience in UK immigration procedures, verified against external Home Office sources. Disclaimer: While we strive for accuracy, UK eTA rules can change. Always verify the latest requirements on the external government GOV.UK page before submitting applications. This guide is for informational purposes only.
Any adult can submit a UK eTA apply for someone else request for a family member, friend, or group. For 2026 travel, you must secure their consent, provide exact passport details, and pay a strict, non-refundable £20 fee per applicant. If the traveller is present, use the UK ETA app to live-scan their passport’s biometric chip. If absent, upload a photo of their passport bio page and a compliant digital face photo at gov.uk. Each approved UK eTA grants permission for multiple journeys over two years.
Can I Apply for a UK eTA on Someone Else’s Behalf?
Any adult can submit a UK eTA for another person, but the traveller’s consent is mandatory and each application covers one person only.
You must secure the traveller’s explicit authorization before applying. Batch processing is not allowed – each person needs a separate £20 submission. Applying for a UK eTA on behalf of someone else without their knowledge risks immediate refusals or travel bans.
What You Need Before You Start
A representative needs the traveller’s passport, a digital face photo, personal details, immigration history answers, and a £20 payment method per application.
To complete a UK eTA application on behalf of someone else, gather these essentials:
- Passport details: Enter data from the exact passport the person will use to cross the UK border in 2026.
- Face photo: The digital portrait must follow strict digital photo rules: plain light background, neutral expression, and no glare.
- Suitability/criminality questions: Answer criminality and immigration history queries accurately based on the traveller’s actual record.
- Application fee: Prepare a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet for the non-refundable fee of £20.
How to Apply for a UK eTA on Behalf of Another Person – Two Methods
Two channels exist: the UK eTA app when the person is present, and the online form at gov.uk when the person is not present.
Method 1: Using the UK eTA App (Person Present)
When the traveller is present, use the app to scan their passport’s biometric chip and capture a live face photo.
Download the app
Get the UK ETA app from the App Store or Google Play
Scan the biometric chip
Perform a live scan of the traveller’s passport biometric chip using your phone camera
Capture face photo
Capture a live digital photo of their face to complete verification
Method 2: Applying via the Online Form (Person Absent)
When the traveller is absent, use the gov.uk online form to upload a photo of their passport bio page and a compliant face photo.
If the traveller is absent, use the GOV.UK online form. This route is mandatory for family members with older, non-biometric passports.
Upload passport photo
Upload a clear photograph of the traveller’s passport bio page
Upload face photo
Upload a digital face photo meeting strict standards: plain light background, neutral expression, and no glare
Pay the fee
Pay the mandatory non-refundable fee of £20 per applicant
Applying for UK eTA for Children, Families & Travel Groups
Submit all applications at least 3 weeks before travel, budget £20 per person, and use one email address to track all family decisions.
Every traveler, including babies and children, requires their own individual application costing strictly £20. Group coordinators should submit all forms well before departure.
Use one email address to centralise decisions, which may arrive at different times. Coordinators should use a spreadsheet to track each approval via the unique 16-digit ETA reference number. Once issued, the authorisation permits unlimited multiple journeys for up to 2 years or until the passport expires.
After You Apply – Processing Times, Status Checks & Refusals
Decisions arrive within minutes to three working days; mistakes cannot be edited, requiring a new £20 application, and refused applicants must apply for a visa.
Decisions arrive by email within minutes to three working days – check your spam folder for the 16-digit reference number. Applications cannot be modified after submission. If you make a typo, you must submit a completely new application and pay the £20 fee again. Verify approval status using the external government Check ETA Online Service (often referred to as the Check my ETA service).
If processing is delayed beyond three working days, contact UKVI exclusively via webchat. If rejected, there is no right of appeal.
Case Study: In one instance, a family coordinator submitted 4 applications using the same email. Two were approved within 10 minutes, one took 2 days, and one required a new application due to a typo. The spreadsheet tracking method saved them hours.
Who Does NOT Need a UK eTA? – Exemptions & Verification
British citizens, Irish citizens, dual citizens with a valid British passport, UK visa holders, and EUSS holders are exempt.
Exemptions apply to British citizens, Irish citizens, and those holding a UK visa or EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status. Dual British citizens can use an expired UK passport (issued 1989 or later) alongside a valid non-UK passport to prove exemption.
According to the UK Home Office guidance on ‘Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) – Transit Without Visa Arrangements’ (Version 1.2, 2025), passengers in direct airside transit who do not pass through UK border control do not require an ETA. However, those completing landside transit must have an approved application. For updates, check the Home Office Twitter @UKHomeOffice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use the same email address for multiple family members?
Yes. Parents applying for babies and children can use a single email to consolidate decisions and track statuses using the Check ETA Online Service.
Is there a group payment option for a UK eTA?
No. Every individual requires a separate £20 application – no group payment or batch option exists.
Can I apply without the person’s biometric passport?
Yes. For older, non-biometric passports, use the online form to upload a photo of their passport bio page and a compliant digital face photo.
Do I need to bring the eTA documents to the airport?
No physical documents are required. The digital permission is linked to the passport. Carriers verify it digitally before boarding.
What is the minimum age to apply for someone else?
The representative submitting the application must be an adult (18+). You must also have the traveller’s explicit consent.
Do transit passengers need a UK eTA for airside transit or landside transit?
Airside transit (no border control) does not require an ETA. Landside transit (passing border control) requires an approved application.
Who is exempt from needing a UK eTA?
British citizens, Irish citizens, dual citizens with a valid British passport, UK visa holders, and EUSS status holders are exempt.
What are the suitability and criminality questions on the form?
The form asks about past criminal history and immigration violations. Answer truthfully based on the traveller’s background to avoid immediate refusals.
Sources & Further Reading
- UK Government – Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply
- Home Office – ETA Policy Guidance
