Understanding the UK ETA cost for children is the first budgeting question most American families ask before a trip to Britain. The short answer is that every child, regardless of age, needs their own Electronic Travel Authorisation, and each one carries the same flat government fee as an adult.
UK ETA Key Facts at a Glance
Here is a quick reference for American travelers: the UK ETA costs £16 per person, is valid for up to two years, allows stays of up to six months per visit, and is required for every traveler including children before arrival in Britain.
| Item | Detail (2026) |
|---|---|
| Fee | £16 per person (UK Home Office, 9 April 2025) |
| Validity | Up to 2 years or until passport expires |
| Stay per visit | Up to 6 months |
| Who needs it | All US citizens without a UK visa, including children |
| Processing | Often minutes; allow up to 3 working days |
| Where to apply | Official UK ETA app or GOV.UK |
How much does a UK ETA cost for a child?
A UK ETA costs £16 per child in 2026, the same flat fee charged to adults, confirmed by the UK Home Office. There is no infant discount and no reduced family rate, so a household of four pays four separate fees. The charge is per application, not per trip, and the authorization then remains valid for up to two years.
Many parents assume children travel free or at a lower rate, as they often do for visas elsewhere. Therefore, it is important to budget the full per-person amount. For a family of two adults and two children, the combined ETA outlay is four times the single fee, payable at the time of application.
In practice, American travelers find the uk eta cost for children straightforward once they have done it once. Therefore, keeping a short note of the steps and your approval details makes any repeat trip even faster.
Why every child needs a separate ETA
Every child needs a separate UK ETA because the authorization is linked to an individual passport, not to a family group or a parent’s account. As a result, even a newborn traveling on a parent’s lap must hold a valid ETA tied to the child’s own travel document before boarding.
This rule mirrors how the United States treats ESTA, where each traveler files individually. Consequently, parents should gather every child’s passport details in advance. Airlines check each passenger’s authorization status at check-in, and a missing child ETA can stop the whole family from boarding.
It is worth planning this early rather than at the last minute. As a result, you remove a common source of airport stress and can focus on the trip itself rather than paperwork.
For related reading, see our guides to UK ETA Payment Methods for Americans 2026: Cards, Bank Fees & Currency Conversion and ETA for Children – How to Avoid Mistakes When Applying.
Budgeting a family trip: the full picture
Beyond the ETA fee itself, families should budget for passports, travel insurance, and transport. The ETA is a small line item compared with flights, but it is mandatory, so it belongs at the top of any pre-trip checklist alongside valid passports for each child.
For comparison, a US passport book for a minor costs significantly more than a single ETA, and it must be valid for the whole trip. Moreover, building a simple spreadsheet of per-person costs helps avoid surprises at the airport.
Because rules can be updated, it is always sensible to confirm the latest details before you fly. Consequently, a quick check of official guidance close to departure is a smart habit for any visitor.
How to pay the child ETA fee
You pay each child’s ETA fee by debit or credit card, or through Apple Pay or Google Pay, inside the official UK ETA app or on GOV.UK. One adult can pay for several children in sequence using the same card, completing one application at a time.
Keep the confirmation email for each child. In addition, screenshot the approval, because border officers and airlines may ask to confirm that every young traveler holds a valid authorization linked to the correct passport.
For families especially, a little organization goes a long way with the uk eta cost for children. Moreover, handling everyone’s authorization together means no traveler is overlooked at check-in.
You may also find these helpful: Contactless Payment London Tube 2026 — Complete Guide for US Travelers, Money in the UK: Currency, Tipping, and Payment Guide for Americans, and UK ETA Price Jumps to $25 on April 8, 2026.
When children are exempt or need something else
Children who hold British or Irish citizenship do not need an ETA, and those who already have a UK visa use that instead. Otherwise, every visiting child from a visa-exempt country, including the United States, needs an ETA before travel.
Dual-national children should travel on the passport that matches their status. For instance, a child with both US and UK passports can enter Britain on the British document and skip the ETA entirely.
Indeed, the uk eta cost for children is designed to be simple, but small errors cause most problems. Nevertheless, careful attention to passport details resolves the vast majority of issues before they arise.
More UK Travel Guides for Americans
Before you travel, it helps to read around your trip. The guides below cover payments, transport, airports, and entry rules that complement your UK ETA, so you arrive in Britain fully prepared.
- UK ETA Fee Jumps to £20: What American Travelers Need to Know
- Stress-free payments in the UK: cards, apps, and tips
- ESTA 2026 Changes: New Social Media and Family Data Requirements
- Practical Guide: Family Advice for the United Kingdom 2026
- Family-Friendly Hotels in Edinburgh – Proven Tips
- UK ETA Family Travel 2026 — American Parent FAQ
- UK ETA Price Increase to £20 in April 2026
- Ferry to Ireland from Britain 2026 — Routes, Costs & US Traveler Tips
How the UK ETA Works: Key Numbers
The uk eta cost for children sits within a single national scheme. The fee is £16 per person (UK Home Office, 9 April 2025), the authorization lasts up to 2 years, each visit can last up to 6 months, and the rule has applied to US citizens since 8 January 2025.
These figures rarely change between trips, so they are worth memorizing. According to GOV.UK ETA guidance, most applicants receive an automated decision within minutes, although travelers should allow up to 3 working days in case a case needs review. Because the uk eta cost for children is electronic, there is no sticker or stamp; it is linked digitally to your passport.
How to Apply for a UK ETA Step by Step
To apply for a uk eta cost for children, download the official UK ETA app or use GOV.UK, scan your passport, take a photo, answer the short suitability questions, pay the £16 fee by card or mobile wallet, and submit. Each traveler needs their own application.
First, check that you actually need an ETA using the gov.uk visa checker, since British and Irish citizens are exempt. Next, gather a biometric passport, a card, and an email. Finally, keep the approval email safe. Furthermore, applying through official channels avoids the inflated handling charges that unofficial websites add on top of the government fee.
At the UK Border and Avoiding Scams
At the UK border, an officer may ask the purpose and length of your visit, where you are staying, and proof of onward travel. Your uk eta cost for children is checked electronically, so you simply present the passport used in the application.
To stay safe, apply only via the official app or GOV.UK; third-party sites often charge extra and are not the issuing authority. For trip ideas once you arrive, VisitBritain and UK transit rules on GOV.UK offer reliable, up-to-date information for American visitors planning a UK itinerary.
When to Apply and What to Double-Check
Apply for your uk eta cost for children as soon as your trip and passports are confirmed, ideally several weeks ahead. The authorization lasts up to 2 years, so early approval carries no downside and protects you against the rare case that needs manual review.
Before you submit, double-check three things: that your passport will remain valid for the entire visit, that every name and number matches the passport exactly, and that you have applied for each traveler, including children. However simple the form looks, these small details cause most delays. Therefore, a careful final review is the single most valuable habit. In addition, save each approval email and a copy of the passport used, because keeping clean records makes future trips on the same uk eta cost for children effortless.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a UK ETA for a child in 2026?
A child’s UK ETA costs £16, the same flat fee as an adult. There is no discount for minors or infants.
Do babies need a UK ETA?
Yes. Infants and babies need their own ETA linked to their own passport, even when traveling on a parent’s lap.
Can I pay for all my children with one card?
Yes. You can complete each child’s application in turn and pay every fee with the same debit or credit card.
Is the child ETA fee refundable?
The ETA fee is generally non-refundable once an application is submitted, whether the result is an approval or a refusal.
How long is a child’s ETA valid?
A child’s ETA is valid for up to two years or until the child’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
Do children need an ETA for a layover?
Children transiting through the UK usually need an ETA if they pass through border control, the same as adults.
What if my child’s passport expires during the two years?
The ETA becomes invalid when the linked passport expires, so you must apply again with the new passport.
Final Thoughts
In short, the UK ETA is a quick, low-cost step that every American traveler must complete before visiting Britain. Apply early, double-check your passport details, and keep your approval handy. For more, explore our full library including UK ETA Payment Methods for Americans 2026: Cards, Bank Fees & Currency Conversion and ETA for Children – How to Avoid Mistakes When Applying.
Last updated: June 2026. Always confirm current requirements on GOV.UK before you travel.