A family may share one flight booking, but it does not share one UK travel authorisation. If the ETA route applies, each traveller needs the appropriate permission, including children and babies. Check eligibility and exemptions separately for every passport.
Start with nationality and status
An ETA is for eligible nationalities; it is not a replacement for a visa where a visa is required. Having a parent with an eligible passport does not automatically make a child travelling on a different nationality eligible.
Existing UK visas and certain immigration statuses can remove the ETA requirement. The official exemptions page should be checked before paying for an unnecessary application.
Apply for the right person
GOV.UK allows an application for someone else. The app can be used when that person is with you; if they are not, use the online route. Follow the current passport and facial-photo instructions rather than uploading an adult's details into a child's application.
The official application fee shown when checked was £20. The government says other websites cannot obtain a faster decision. Use the live official fee and application page if applying later.
Make a family document checklist
Write one line per traveller: full name, travel passport, nationality, required permission and confirmation received. Keep the passport number private. Check each line against the actual passport rather than copying from an old travel booking.
This simple check is especially useful where a child recently received a first passport, a passport was renewed or family members hold different nationalities. One successful email should not be treated as confirmation for everybody.
Your next step
Open the official ETA pages below and resolve each person's route. For anyone applying, wait for the email confirming their ETA before travelling, as GOV.UK instructs. Keep the confirmations accessible and take the passports used for the applications. A family booking reference does not replace individual travel documents.
Official sources
Sources reviewed on 29 Oct 2026. Requirements can change and depend on your nationality and circumstances. This article is general information, not a personal eligibility assessment.
