Every person in your family needs their own UK ETA. That includes your spouse, your teenagers, your toddlers, and yes — even your baby. There is no family application form. There is no group option. Each person gets their own application, linked to their own Emirati passport.
That might sound like more work than expected. It is not. Once you understand how it works, the process is simple to manage. This guide covers everything Emirati families need to know — from gathering documents to what happens if one application runs into a problem.
Does Every Family Member Need a Separate UK ETA?
Yes. Every UAE citizen travelling to the UK needs their own UK Electronic Travel Authorisation. The ETA is tied to one specific passport. It cannot cover more than one person.
If you are travelling as a family of five, that means five separate applications. Each one has its own form, its own photo, and its own payment. The good news is they can all be submitted at the same time, which is exactly what most families do.
This catches some families off guard because other travel documents sometimes allow children to travel under a parent’s entry. The UK ETA does not work that way. Every traveller needs their own authorisation, no matter how young they are.
Who in Your Family Needs a UK ETA?
If your family holds UAE passports, every member needs a UK ETA before travelling. This applies regardless of age — from newborns to grandparents.
UAE citizens with only a UAE passport: Every member of the family needs to apply. This is the most common situation for Emirati families, and the process is the same for everyone.
UAE citizens who also hold a British passport: If any family member holds a British passport, they do not need a UK ETA. They simply travel on their British passport and enter the UK without any pre-authorisation. In that case, only the family members travelling on their UAE passport need to apply.
Children with dual UAE and another nationality: If your child holds a UAE passport and a passport from another country, check whether that second nationality requires a UK ETA. If the second passport is from a country that does not need one, they can travel on that passport instead. Most Emirati families with dual-nationality children find it simplest to apply for the ETA on the UAE passport and travel consistently on one document. The eligibility page covers this in more detail.
Not sure about a specific situation? The UK ETA vs visa guide explains the different scenarios clearly.
What You Need for Each Family Member
Adults
For each adult UAE citizen in your family, you need four things:
- A valid UAE biometric passport (look for the small chip symbol on the cover)
- A digital photo that meets the UK government’s specifications
- An email address to receive the confirmation
- A payment card (credit or debit)
That is genuinely everything. The full documents checklist goes into more detail, but for Emirati adults, nothing extra is required.
One important thing to check before you start: the passport expiry date for every adult in the family. Your ETA is linked to the passport you apply with. If that passport expires before your trip, the ETA becomes invalid. You would need a new passport first, then a new ETA.
Children and Teenagers
Children follow exactly the same rules as adults. They need their own passport, their own compliant photo, and their own application. The only difference is that a parent or guardian completes the form on their behalf.
When filling in a child’s application, you will need their full name as it appears in their passport, their date of birth, their passport number, and their passport expiry date. The form guide walks through every field step by step.
One thing that trips up many Emirati parents: children’s passports in the UAE are typically issued for shorter periods than adult passports. A passport that seemed fine when you last travelled might be closer to expiry than you think. Check every child’s passport expiry before you start any application.
Infants and Babies
Yes — your baby needs a UK ETA too. Even a newborn. There is no minimum age, and there are no exemptions for infants.
The infant ETA application works the same way as for older children. A parent completes the form using the baby’s UAE passport details.
The part that catches most parents off guard is the photo. The UK government’s photo requirements for babies are identical to those for adults: neutral expression, eyes open, looking directly at the camera, plain light background. Getting a compliant photo of a baby — especially a newborn — takes real patience. Plan more time for this than you think you will need.
A few things that actually help:
- Lay the baby flat on a plain white sheet and photograph from directly above
- Natural daylight works better than indoor lighting — avoid harsh shadows
- Take 20 or more shots and pick the clearest one
- The baby’s eyes must be fully open and clearly visible
The biometric information guide covers the full photo specifications including file size and dimensions.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Your Whole Family
Step 1: Get every passport in front of you before you start
Gather every family member’s UAE passport before you open a single form. You will need the full name as printed, the passport number, and the expiry date for each person. Having all of this ready saves a lot of stopping and starting.
Step 2: Prepare a photo for each person
Sort out a compliant digital photo for every family member — adults, children, and infants — before you begin the forms. Photo problems are the most common reason applications hit a snag. Check every photo against the photo requirements before you upload anything.
Step 3: Sort out your email setup
Each application sends status updates and the final decision to an email address. A lot of Emirati families use one shared email for all applications, which technically works, but it gets messy fast when you are tracking five separate approval emails that all look similar.
The simplest approach: use one inbox, but create a separate folder for each family member’s application as soon as you submit. Label each folder clearly by name. That way, finding any individual confirmation takes seconds.
Step 4: Submit all applications together
There is no official rule about who applies first, but practically, you want all applications submitted as close together as possible. When everyone applies at the same time, the approvals tend to arrive around the same time too. If you submit one application weeks after the others, that person’s result might come in much later — which is stressful if your travel date is close.
Apply for the UK ETA online for each person, one at a time, completing each application fully before starting the next. If you want a detailed walkthrough of the form itself, the step-by-step application guide is useful to have open alongside.
Step 5: Pay for each application separately
Each application needs its own payment. There is no combined payment option for families. Have your card ready for each submission. The payment methods guide explains which cards are accepted. If a payment does not go through, the payment failure guide covers the most common reasons and how to fix them.
Step 6: Save every confirmation
After each submission, save the confirmation email and note the reference number. You will use these to check the status of each application as it moves through processing. Keep them organised by family member from the start.
Is There a Family Discount?
No. There is no family rate, no group discount, and no reduced fee for children or infants. Each application is charged at the same individual rate regardless of age or how many people are applying.
This surprises a lot of Emirati families who assume there must be a family option. There is not. It is better to know this upfront than to discover it at the payment step.
The family application cost page breaks down what to budget for when applying as a group.
Common Mistakes Emirati Families Make
Mixing up passport numbers
When you are filling in applications for four or five people back to back, mistakes happen. One wrong digit in a passport number means the ETA is tied to a passport number that does not match the actual document — and that will cause a serious problem at the border. Read every passport number back against the application before you submit.
Using one inbox without any organisation
Using a single email for all applications is fine. Not organising that inbox is not fine. If five confirmation emails arrive in the same inbox and you cannot quickly tell which one belongs to which family member, you will regret it — especially at the airport. Create folders, label them clearly, and do it the moment each application is submitted.
Photo mistakes on children’s applications
The photo requirements are identical for children and adults, and they are strict. Common problems include: eyes that are not fully open, a shadow on the background, the child glancing slightly to the side, or a photo taken on a coloured or patterned surface. Take the photos carefully and check them against the requirements before uploading.
Applying too close to the travel date
UK ETA processing times are generally fast, but “generally fast” is not the same as guaranteed. When you have multiple applications in play, the chance of at least one taking a little longer goes up. Apply at least three to four weeks before your departure date. The processing time guide explains what can affect how long it takes.
Not checking children’s passport expiry dates
Adult UAE passports run for ten years. Children’s passports are often issued for five years or less. A passport issued when your child was two or three might be closer to expiry than it looks. This is always the first thing to check — before you start any application.
Applying with the wrong passport version
If your child recently renewed their UAE passport, apply using the new passport details — not the old one. The ETA is linked to the specific passport number used in the application. If your child shows up at the UK border with a passport that does not match the ETA, they will not be allowed to board.
The common application errors guide covers these and other mistakes families make.
How Long Does It Take?
Most UK ETA decisions come through within a few days. Some arrive much faster. Processing times can vary though, and they are not guaranteed — so do not cut it close.
When you are applying for a family group, track each application separately. Log in with each confirmation reference to check the status of each individual application. One approved does not mean all approved.
If your travel date is approaching and one application is still showing as pending, the urgent fast-track guide explains the options available to you.
What If One Family Member’s Application Is Rejected?
Stay calm. A rejection is not a permanent ban on travelling to the UK. In most cases, it means there was a fixable problem with the application.
The most common reasons for rejection:
- Passport details entered incorrectly
- A photo that did not meet the technical requirements
- A security or immigration question that prompted a manual review
- Missing or incomplete information
What to do next:
Read the rejection notification carefully. It usually points to a general reason. If the problem is a data entry error or a non-compliant photo, reapply with the corrected details. The new application needs a new payment — the original is not refunded in most circumstances. The refund policy page explains how this works.
If the rejection relates to something more complex — previous immigration issues, for example — it is worth taking time to understand the situation before reapplying.
Does one rejection affect the rest of the family?
No. A rejection on one application has no impact on other family members’ approved ETAs. Each application stands on its own.
Should the rest of the family still travel?
That depends entirely on the situation and how quickly the issue can be resolved. If the rejection is clearly due to a correctable error and a new application can be turned around in time, it may be worth a brief delay. If dates are firm and resolution is not possible in time, that is a harder decision only the family can make.
At the Airport: What to Expect
The UK ETA is digital. There is nothing to print and nothing to carry beyond your passport. When the border officer scans your UAE passport, the ETA appears on their system automatically.
Each family member is checked individually at UK border control. Even when travelling together as a family, you each present your own passport. The process is straightforward and quick for Emirati citizens with valid ETAs.
A few things worth keeping handy:
- Every family member’s UAE passport
- The confirmation reference number for each ETA — not required, but useful to have if any question comes up
- A clear sense of your purpose of travel — tourism, visiting family, short break
Once you are through, the same ETA covers each time you enter the UK during its validity period. If you are planning to travel in and out of the UK during your trip, you do not need to apply again. The ETA validity guide explains exactly how long the authorisation lasts and what triggers the need to reapply.
For everything that happens after approval, the post-approval guide covers next steps.
Pre-Travel Checklist for Emirati Families
Run through this for every family member before you leave:
- UAE passport is valid and not expired
- Passport is biometric (chip symbol on the cover)
- UK ETA has been approved
- Passport number on the ETA matches the passport being used to travel
- Confirmation email saved and easy to find
- Children’s and infants’ passports checked for expiry
- Purpose of visit aligns with what the UK ETA permits
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for my child’s UK ETA as their parent?
Yes. A parent or legal guardian fills out the application using the child’s UAE passport details — their full name, date of birth, and passport number. You upload the photo and pay on their behalf. The ETA is issued in the child’s name and linked to their passport.
Do babies need a UK ETA?
Yes. There is no minimum age. Even a newborn with a UAE passport needs their own UK ETA before travelling. A parent completes the application using the baby’s passport details.
Is there a family discount on the UK ETA?
No. Each application is charged at the standard individual rate. There is no family package, child rate, or discount for applying as a group. Every person pays the same fee regardless of age.
My child holds both a UAE passport and a British passport. What do they do?
If your child holds a British passport, they do not need a UK ETA. They travel on their British passport and enter the UK as a British citizen. Only family members travelling on their UAE passport need to apply.
What if one family member’s UK ETA is rejected?
A rejection does not affect anyone else’s approved ETA. The rejected family member can reapply after correcting the issue — but a new application and new payment are required. Check the refund policy for details on how fees work in this situation.
How long does it take to get a UK ETA for an Emirati family of four?
Each application is processed individually. Most decisions arrive within a few days, sometimes sooner. Submit all four applications at the same time and well ahead of your travel date to avoid any last-minute pressure.
Can our whole family use one email address for all applications?
You can, but stay organised. Create a separate folder in your inbox for each family member as soon as you submit their application, and label each one clearly. If five confirmation emails arrive in the same inbox with similar subject lines and no labelling system, finding the right one under pressure is harder than it sounds.
Do my children travel on my ETA or their own?
They travel on their own ETA. Every person — including infants — has their own ETA linked to their own UAE passport. A child cannot travel under a parent’s travel authorisation.
Ready to Get Started?
Applying for a UK ETA as an Emirati family is manageable once you know the process. The key things: apply for everyone at the same time, double-check every passport number before you submit, and give yourself extra time for the infant photo if you have a young baby.
If you want someone to handle the applications for your whole family and check every detail before submission, UK ETA for UAE Citizens can manage the full process for you — so your energy goes into planning the trip itself.
