UK ETA for Brazilians 2026: £16 Fee & How to Apply
Everything Brazilian passport holders need to know about the UK ETA in 2026: how to apply, fees, validity, and what to expect at the UK border.
Do Brazilian Citizens Need a Visa for the UK?
No traditional visa is required, but since 8 January 2025, Brazilian citizens must obtain a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling to the United Kingdom.
The UK ETA is not a visa — it is a simpler digital authorization similar to the US ESTA or the upcoming European ETIAS. Most applications are approved within minutes.
Key facts:
- Fee: £16 (increasing to £20 from 8 April 2026)
- Validity: 2 years or until passport expires
- Multiple entries allowed
- Max stay: 6 months per visit
- Apply online or via the UK ETA app
Since 25 February 2026, carriers run automated permission-to-travel checks at check-in. Travelers without a valid ETA will receive a "no-board" message and be denied boarding.
How to Apply for the UK ETA
Online Application (GOV.UK)
- 1Visit the official UK ETA page
- 2Have your Brazilian passport ready
- 3Take or upload a clear passport photo
- 4Provide basic personal information
- 5Pay £16 (£20 from 8 April 2026) by credit/debit card
- 6Receive confirmation via email
UK ETA App
The official UK ETA mobile app is also available:
- Download from the App Store or Google Play
- Scan your passport using your phone's NFC reader
- Take a selfie for identity verification
- Complete application and pay
Processing Time
- Most applications: Approved within minutes
- Manual review: Up to 3 business days
- Recommendation: Apply at least 3 business days before travel
UK ETA Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fee | £16 (£20 from 8 April 2026) |
| Validity | 2 years or until passport expires |
| Entries | Multiple |
| Max stay per visit | 6 months |
| Permitted activities | Tourism, business, study (up to 6 months), medical treatment |
| Work permitted | No |
| Application method | Online (GOV.UK) or UK ETA app |
| Required at | Check-in (airline verified) and UK border |
What You Can Do on a UK ETA
- Tourism — sightseeing, visiting friends and family
- Business — meetings, conferences, negotiations (no employment)
- Short-term study — courses up to 6 months
- Medical treatment — private medical procedures
- Transit — passing through the UK to another destination
- Events — attending sports events, concerts, etc.
What You Cannot Do
- Work — any paid or unpaid employment
- Live permanently — the ETA is for temporary visits only
- Access public funds — no benefit entitlements
- Study beyond 6 months — requires a Student visa
Documents for UK Border
While the ETA is linked electronically to your passport, carry:
- Valid Brazilian passport
- Return or onward flight booking
- Proof of accommodation
- Evidence of financial means for your stay
- Details of your plans in the UK
UK border officers may ask about your visit purpose, accommodation, and return plans.
UK vs. Schengen: Key Differences for Brazilians
| United Kingdom | Schengen Area | |
|---|---|---|
| Authorization needed | UK ETA (£16/£20) | None (ETIAS from late 2026) |
| Max stay | 6 months per visit | 90 days in 180 |
| Application | Online, minutes | N/A (ETIAS: online, minutes) |
| Separate system | Yes | Yes |
| Work allowed | No | No |
Traveling to the UK from Europe
Many Brazilians visit the UK as part of a broader European trip. Keep in mind:
- You need both a UK ETA and (eventually) ETIAS for separate entry to each
- Time in the UK does not count toward your Schengen 90-day limit
- Budget for separate entry requirements and fees
- Flights between Schengen and UK involve border checks in both directions
Tips for Brazilian Travelers to the UK
- 1Apply for ETA before booking — without it, you cannot board your flight since February 2026
- 2Fee increase coming — apply before 8 April 2026 to pay £16 instead of £20
- 36 months is generous — the UK allows much longer stays than Schengen (90 days)
- 4No interview or biometrics — the ETA is a simple online application
- 5Link to passport — the ETA is digital and linked to your passport number. If you renew your passport, you need a new ETA
- 6Transit requires ETA — even if just passing through a UK airport
- 7NHS not included — UK medical care is not free for visitors. Get travel insurance
FAQs
Is the UK ETA the same as a visa?
No. The ETA is a simpler electronic authorization — no embassy visit, no interview, no document submission. It is processed online in minutes.
Can I apply for a UK ETA at the airport?
No. You must have an approved ETA before check-in. Airlines will deny boarding without one since February 2026.
What if my ETA application is denied?
Denials are rare for Brazilian citizens. If denied, you would need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa (£115, more complex process). The denial reason will be communicated.
Does a UK ETA cover Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
Yes. The UK ETA covers England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — the entire United Kingdom.
Can I extend my UK stay beyond 6 months?
Extensions are possible in limited circumstances. Apply before your current permission expires through the UK government website.
Do children need a UK ETA?
Yes, all travelers — including children — need an ETA. Parents or guardians can apply on their behalf.
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