Yes. When the UK ETA requirement applies, every traveller needs an individual authorisation, including babies and children. A parent or another person can apply for a child, but one adult ETA does not cover the family.
This guide was checked against current GOV.UK traveller guidance and Home Office caseworker guidance on August 31, 2026.
One ETA is required for each traveller
The GOV.UK ETA overview says each person travelling needs an electronic travel authorisation when the requirement applies, including babies and children. It also says an adult can apply for other people. Source 1
Current Home Office caseworker guidance gives the same rule: each traveller must get their own ETA, including children and babies. It explains that an ETA gives an individual permission to travel, not permission to enter the UK. Source 2
The important unit is the person, not the booking, household, or family group. A baby travelling on the same reservation as two parents can still need a separate ETA linked to the baby's passport.
Check whether the child needs an ETA before applying
Age does not create an exemption. Whether a child needs an ETA depends on nationality, immigration status, the passport used, and the journey.
GOV.UK lists categories that do not need an ETA. These include British and Irish citizens, people who already have a UK visa, and people who have permission to live, work, or study in the UK. The current page also lists children travelling on the France-UK school trip travel information form. Source 3
Do not infer a child's position from the accompanying adult. A parent and child can have different nationalities, passports, visas, or UK permissions. Check each traveller separately with GOV.UK before paying.
How a parent or guardian applies for a child
The official application page says you can apply for someone else's ETA in the UK ETA app when that person is with you. If the person is not with you, you must apply for their ETA online. The process requires a photo of the person's passport and a photo of their face. Source 4
For a child application, prepare:
- the passport the child will use to travel;
- a suitable image of the passport;
- a suitable photo of the child's face;
- an email address for the application;
- an accepted payment method;
- the child's correct personal and passport details.
The ETA is linked digitally to the passport used in the application. GOV.UK says the traveller only needs to show that passport when travelling. Source 4
Families can receive decisions at different times
Applying for several people together does not create one group decision. GOV.UK warns that decisions may arrive at different times for other people you applied for. It says applicants usually receive a decision by email within a day, but a decision can take up to three working days. Source 4
Wait for the confirmation email for every traveller before travelling. A parent's approval does not prove that a child's ETA has been granted.
Record the application date, the passport used, the 16-digit ETA reference number from the decision email, and the expiry date for each family member. Keep each person's details separate so one approval is not mistaken for another.
The fee applies to each application
As of the retrieval date for this guide, GOV.UK states that an ETA costs £20. It also says the fee is not refundable after an application is submitted. Source 1
Because each person needs an individual ETA, a family normally pays for each required application. Check the official page immediately before applying because fees and procedures can change.
A child's ETA does not create a family stay allowance
An ETA is permission to travel to the border. It does not guarantee entry. The GOV.UK overview says an ETA can support travel for visits of up to six months, while the Home Office guidance says the holder still needs permission to enter on arrival. Source 1
Keep the actual arrival and departure dates for every traveller, including children. A family may cross together, but travel permissions and passport records remain individual.
For broader planning, read the UK ETA visitor day-tracking guide. Jetseen can keep a separate chronology for each traveller, but it cannot decide whether a person needs an ETA or grant permission to travel.
What to do when a child's passport changes
An ETA is connected to the passport used in the application. GOV.UK says a changed or expired passport requires a new ETA. Source 5
Do not assume that a child's remaining ETA validity transfers to a renewed or replacement passport. Read the UK ETA new-passport guide before the next journey.
Frequently asked questions
Can a baby travel on a parent's UK ETA?
No. GOV.UK says each person needs an individual ETA when the requirement applies, including babies and children.
Can I apply for my child's ETA?
Yes. GOV.UK says you can apply for someone else. The app can be used when the person is with you; otherwise the application must be made online.
Does every child automatically need an ETA?
No. The requirement depends on the child's nationality, passport, immigration permission, and journey. Age alone is not an exemption, but GOV.UK lists other exemptions that may apply.
Will every family member receive a decision at the same time?
Not necessarily. GOV.UK says decisions for people you applied for may arrive at different times. Wait for confirmation for each traveller.
Jetseen is a recordkeeping and calculation tool, not legal, tax, or immigration advice.
References
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Tax residency rules change frequently. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
