The United Kingdom is following the example of the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia by implementing measures that will help the country transition to a digital identity document system and more effectively manage border security. The United Kingdom is introducing the ETA – Electronic Travel Authorization document, which is mandatory for both business and leisure travelers.

!SVARBU! NUO 2026 M. VASARIO 25 d. BUS GRIEŽTINAMA ETA PATIKRA!

Airlines and other carriers will no longer allow passengers without a valid ETA to board. This means that without an ETA, you simply won’t be able to board a plane, train, or other transport – regardless of your travel purpose or duration.

From this date, all individuals (except British and Irish citizens) wishing to travel to the United Kingdom must have a travel authorization – this could be an ETA, eVisa, or another suitable document. The authorization is digitally linked to your passport.

!IT IS RECOMMENDED TO OBTAIN THE AUTHORIZATION AT LEAST THREE BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE YOUR PLANNED TRIP!

Who needs an ETA when traveling to the United Kingdom?

!Very important! The ETA is directly linked to your passport!

• You do not need to carry a paper or separate document proving you have an ETA – it is sufficient to have the passport you used to register for the ETA.
• The ETA is only valid with the passport whose details you used for the application.
• Your passport must be valid throughout your entire stay in the United Kingdom.
• If your passport expires or is lost – you must reapply for the authorization.
• An ETA is mandatory for all modes of transport – by plane, train, car, etc.

What if I lost my passport but already had an approved ETA?

• If you lose your passport while traveling in the United Kingdom – contact the Lithuanian Embassy immediately. The ETA becomes invalid if you no longer have your passport with you.
• If you lose your passport in Lithuania before your trip, but already had an approved ETA – you must register with the Migration Department of the Republic of Lithuania to obtain a new passport and reapply for an ETA.

Do I need an ETA if I am transiting through the United Kingdom?

Yes, an ETA is mandatory even if you are transiting through the United Kingdom. You need an ETA even if you do not leave the airport while transiting through the UK.

Is an ETA equivalent to a visa?

No, an ETA is not equivalent to a visa. If you previously needed a visa to enter the United Kingdom – you will still need a visa. Visa regulations remain unchanged. If you have a visa – an ETA is not mandatory for you.

How can I get an ETA and what documents do I need to submit?

An ETA can be obtained in 2 ways:

• Mobiliąja programėle UK ETA. Atsisiųsti programėlę galite: App Store ir Google Play. Naudojant mobiliąją programėlę, paso nuotrauką ir savo asmens nuotrauką* galėsite pasidaryti programėlėje. Jeigu Jūsų pasas turi biometrinius duomenis – pasą galėsite nuskenuoti.
• Internetu oficiliame gov.uk puslapyje. Pildant paraišką internetu reikės įkelti paso kopijos nuotrauką bei įkelti savo nuotrauką. Apmokėjimas galimas kreditine arba debetine kortele.

*Children up to 9 years old (inclusive) are not required to submit a personal photo.

Pildant paraišką būtina įvesti teisingą el. paštą ir telefono numerį, taip pat būtina turėti debetinę arba kreditinę kortelę. Visa paraiška pildoma tik anglų kalba.

How much does an ETA cost?

An Electronic Travel Authorization to the United Kingdom costs £16 (€19) per person.

• If you complete the application via the mobile app, payment can be made by credit or debit card, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
• If the application is completed online, payment can be made by credit or debit card.
• No discounts apply – the price is the same for everyone.

Can I apply for an ETA on behalf of another person?

Yes, you can apply for an ETA on behalf of another person (e.g., a traveler, parents, children, grandparents, etc.), but when filling out the application, you will need to provide copies of the passports and portrait photos of the individuals for whom you are applying.

You can only apply for an ETA on behalf of another person on the gov.uk website. You cannot apply for another person via the mobile app.

How long does ETA approval take?

Patvirtinimą, kad ETA yra patvirtintas gausite į nurodytą el. Paštą, kurį nurodėte paraiškos pildymo metu per 3 darbo dienas nuo paraiškos pateikimo. Todėl būtina ETA paraišką užpildyti dar prieš kelionę.

How long is an ETA valid?

An ETA will be valid for 2 years from the date of application approval. If your passport expires earlier than the 2-year period – the ETA will expire along with your passport’s validity.

How long can I stay in the United Kingdom with an approved ETA?

You can travel to the United Kingdom as many times as you need, but the total duration of all your visits with a valid ETA cannot exceed 6 months within a 2-year period.

What if my ETA is not approved?

If your ETA is not approved, you must contact an embassy or consulate and apply for a visa, according to your travel purpose. Please note that obtaining a visa may take longer than an ETA, so we recommend completing ETA documents at least 2-3 weeks before your trip.

Useful links

• If you have questions about the Electronic Travel Authorization to the United Kingdom – you can email: ETAengagement@homeoffice.gov.uk
• You can follow other news about ETA by clicking here.
• Book flights to the United Kingdom online – click here.

Good to know: what cannot be brought into the UK from April 12?

From April, not only is the ETA requirement introduced, but the rules for importing products into the country are also changing. From April 12, it is prohibited to bring meat and dairy products from cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs from EU countries into the United Kingdom for personal use. This decision was made to protect the health of British livestock, the safety of farmers, and the country’s food supply security.

This means that it is forbidden to bring products such as sandwiches, cheese, cured meat, raw meat, or milk into the United Kingdom – regardless of whether they are packaged or purchased in a duty-free shop. Individuals found with such products will have to surrender them at the border, or they will be confiscated and destroyed. In more serious cases, such violations can result in fines of up to ~5700 Euros.

There are some exceptions – you can find out about the exceptions to the rules here. For example, it is permitted to bring in small quantities of baby formula, medical food products, and certain composite products such as chocolate, sweets, bread, cakes, biscuits, or pasta.

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