UK eTA group application
Travelling to the UK with your family? A UK eTA is mandatory for every child. Here are the essential rules for parents and groups.
Individual authorization, including children.
Multiple travelers on the same form.
Travelling to the United Kingdom as a family involves specific formalities, particularly regarding electronic travel authorisation. Since the introduction of the UK eTA, every member of the household, including children and babies, must have their own valid authorisation before departure. Many parents wonder whether it is possible to submit a group application, which documents are required for minors, or what steps to take when a child travels with only one parent or an accompanying adult. This page clearly explains how the UK eTA works for families, the rules that apply to children, and the most common mistakes to avoid.
⭐ Key points — UK eTA for families and children
- Each child, including babies, must have their own UK eTA
- There is no single UK eTA for a family or group
- A UK eTA application for a minor is completed by a parent or legal guardian
- A valid individual passport is mandatory for every child
- UK eTA rules are the same whether the child travels with their parents or not
Travelling to the United Kingdom with children requires a clear understanding of the rules related to the UK eTA. Many parents mistakenly believe that minors are exempt from travel authorisation or that a single application is sufficient for the whole family. In reality, UK regulations are very clear: the UK eTA applies to all travellers, regardless of age. Children, infants and babies are subject to the same administrative requirements as adults before boarding.
This section explains exactly who must apply for a UK eTA, from what age, and why an individual passport is essential, even for very young children.
✅ Yes, the UK eTA is mandatory for all minors, without exception.
UK authorities consider each traveller as a separate individual during border checks. This means that:
👉 There is no age-based exemption.
Even if a child is included on a parent’s ticket or travels on a parent’s lap, an individual UK eTA is still required. This rule is systematically applied during airline checks and upon arrival in the United Kingdom.
🟢 There is no minimum age to apply for a UK eTA.
From birth, a child is considered a traveller in their own right from an administrative perspective. This implies two fundamental requirements:
Unlike some past practices, children cannot travel on a parent’s passport to enter the United Kingdom. Each minor must have their own travel document, which is used when applying for a UK eTA.
This is one of the most common questions among families: can you submit a single UK eTA application for the entire family? The answer depends on the perspective adopted. It is essential to distinguish between official UK rules and solutions offered by certain private providers.
❌ No, there is no single UK eTA valid for an entire family.
According to official UK regulations:
Even when travelling together as a family, UK authorities require:
👉 This rule applies without exception, including for couples, large families or groups.
This requirement is based on several key principles related to security and traveller control:
The UK eTA is electronically linked to the holder’s passport. In case of an error or change (new passport, change of identity), only the eTA of the person concerned is affected, without impacting the rest of the family.
Although UK eTAs remain individual, it is still possible to simplify family procedures thanks to certain practical solutions. This is where the concept of a group application comes into play, which is often misunderstood.
🔍 Officially, the UK system processes applications one by one.
However, some private providers offer a practical alternative for families and groups.
👉 The distinction is essential:
In other words:
One order ≠ one eTA
Each traveller still receives their own personal UK eTA, but the process is centralised.
This is the option most appreciated by families 👨👩👧👦.
With a private provider, it is possible to:
Each family member:
Applying for a UK eTA for a child follows broadly the same process as for an adult, but parents should be aware of certain specificities. The form must be completed carefully, as even a minor error in a child’s information can result in a refusal or delay. Contrary to common misconceptions, a child can never be “attached” to a parent’s eTA. Each application is processed individually, even when included in a family order.
This section explains who must complete the application, what information is required for a minor, and how to avoid common submission mistakes.
👨👩👧 A UK eTA application for a child is completed by a parent or legal guardian.
A minor cannot submit an application independently. In practice:
👉 Even if the application is submitted by an adult, the eTA is strictly personal to the child and linked to their passport.
When using a private provider, parents can manage multiple child and adult applications from a single interface, while still respecting the individual nature of each UK eTA.
The UK eTA form for a minor requires specific information. It is essential to prepare this in advance.
📄 Passport
📍 Contact details
✈️ Travel details
⚠️ Any error or inconsistency between the form and the child’s passport may result in:
Before submitting a UK eTA application for a family, it is recommended to ensure that all required documents are available for each member, including children. Even though the process is fully digital, UK authorities require specific documents for every traveller.
🛂 A valid individual passport is mandatory for every child, regardless of age.
👶 Babies
Even infants must have:
👉 A child’s age never constitutes an exemption.
📌 In most cases, no additional documents are required for the UK eTA.
However, certain specific situations may require supporting documents during travel, even if the eTA is valid:
These documents are generally not requested during the eTA application, but may be required:
When a child is not travelling with both parents, additional precautions should be taken. The UK eTA remains mandatory, but the travel context may influence checks on arrival.
🟢 The UK eTA does not change if a child travels with only one parent.
⚠️ Attention to border checks
Authorities may request:
- written authorisation from the other parent
- proof of sole custody
- a family record book or birth certificate
👨🏫 When a child travels with a third party (grandparent, family member, school supervisor):
📄 Possible supporting documents
👉 These documents do not determine the issuance of the UK eTA, but may be requested during travel checks.
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
Yes. A UK eTA is required for babies and infants, without exception. Even a child who is only a few months old must have a valid individual passport and their own UK eTA. The age of the child does not allow for any exemptions. The application is completed by a parent, but the authorization remains strictly linked to the baby's passport.
Each family member must obtain their own individual UK eTA. However, some private providers allow you to group several UK eTA applications for your family on a single order, adding travelers (adults and children). The information is entered separately, but payment and tracking are centralized.
The UK eTA application for a minor is made by a parent or legal guardian. The form must contain the exact information on the child's passport. The UK eTA is then linked to the minor's passport, even if the parent has completed the application on their behalf and is managing several family files.