Planning a family holiday to London used to involve expensive Electronic Visa Waivers (EVW) or tedious embassy visits. The new UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has replaced the old systems for nationals of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
While the ETA is faster and cheaper, it introduces a new rule that confuses many parents: “One Person, One Application.”
If you are travelling with a spouse, three children, and a domestic worker, you cannot just add them to your passport. You must navigate the digital system for every single traveller. This guide explains exactly how to manage a group application for GCC families without losing your mind or your documents.
The “One Person, One ETA” Rule
The most common misconception among GCC travellers is that children or infants are covered by their parent’s ETA.
This is false.
Every individual entering the UK needs their own approved ETA linked to their specific passport. This applies to:
- Newborn babies (even if they are 1 day old).
- Minors traveling on their own passport.
- Dependents and domestic staff traveling with you.
Does My Newborn Baby Really Need a UK ETA?
Yes.
If your baby has a passport, they need an ETA. If they do not have a separate passport yet and are listed on yours, you must still apply for an ETA for them, linking it to your passport details but answering “Yes” to “Are you applying on behalf of someone else?”.
Failure to get an ETA for an infant will result in the airline denying boarding for the whole family.
The “Group Manager” Strategy: Organizing Your Family’s Application
The official UK ETA system does not have a “Group Application” button. However, seasoned travellers use the “Lead Applicant” method to streamline the process.
Can I Apply for My Whole Family at Once?
While you must submit the forms one by one, you do not need to create separate accounts for your children. You can act as the Proxy Applicant.
The Workflow:
- Go to our Application Portal on your phone (the parent’s phone).
- Complete your own application first to understand the flow.
- For the next applicant, select “Apply for Someone Else.”
- Repeat this process on the same device for every family member.
Using One Email Address for Multiple Applications
You do not need to create a new Gmail address for your 5-year-old. You can use one central email address (e.g., the father’s or mother’s email) for all applications.
This is crucial for organization. All approval emails, reference numbers, and status updates will arrive in a single inbox, making it easy to search for “UK ETA” and find all 6 approvals before you head to the airport.
Age Rules: Scanning Faces for Children vs. Adults
The biggest technical hurdle for parents is the facial scan. The app asks you to scan your face to verify your identity against your passport chip. But how do you do this for a toddler?
The “Under 9” Exemption
The Home Office has a specific exemption for young children.
- Children aged 9 and under: You do not need to scan their face. You only need to provide a clear photo of their face (which you can upload from your camera roll) and scan their passport.
- Children aged 10 and over: They must undergo the live facial scan. This means they need to look at the camera, blink, or turn their head as instructed by the app.
How to Scan a Child’s Biometric Passport
Every GCC passport is now “Biometric” (look for the gold camera icon on the cover). To apply for your child:
- Open our website etauk.ae on your phone.
- When asked to scan the chip, place your phone directly on top of the child’s closed passport.
- Move it slowly until the NFC reader detects the chip.
- Do not hold the passport in the air; place it on a flat table.
Step-by-Step Guide: Applying for Your Family (5-Minute Workflow)
Once you have the passports ready, follow this checklist for each family member:
- Scan the Passport: Take a photo of the data page and scan the chip.
- Upload the Photo: For under-9s, upload a digital photo (white background, no toys/pacifiers). For 10+, do the live scan.
- Answer “Suitability” Questions: You will be asked if the applicant has a criminal record or terror links. As a parent, you answer “No” on behalf of your child (assuming they do not have a record).
- Pay the Fee: Use Apple Pay or a Credit Card to pay the fee (approx. £26 per person).
- Save the Reference Number: Take a screenshot of the “Application Submitted” screen for each child.
Need Help Checking Eligibility?
If you are unsure if your specific passport type requires an ETA or a full visa, you can use the eligibility checker on etauk.ae. We provide up-to-date guidance specifically for travellers from the Gulf and Europe.
Cost Analysis: UK ETA vs. The Old EVW
Why go through this digital process? Because the savings are massive.
| Feature | Old Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) | New UK ETA |
| Cost | £30 per person | ~£26 per person |
| Validity | Single Trip Only | 2 Years (Multiple Entry) |
| Advance Notice | 48 Hours minimum | Usually Instant (up to 3 days) |
| Family of 5 Cost | £150 per trip | £130 for 2 years |
For a GCC family visiting London twice a year, the ETA saves you hundreds of pounds and hours of paperwork.
Troubleshooting: What If One Family Member is Delayed?
It is common for one application in a group to be “Pending” while others are “Approved” instantly.
- Don’t Panic: Pending often means the automated system couldn’t match the selfie to the passport photo perfectly and a human officer needs to review it. This usually takes 24-48 hours.
- Check Spam: Ensure the approval email didn’t land in your junk folder.
- Do Not Travel: You cannot travel if one child is still pending. Wait for the decision.
If a family member is refused an ETA, they must apply for a Standard Visitor Visa. This takes weeks, so apply for your ETA at least 7 days before you book flights.
FAQ: Common Questions for Families
Can I apply for a UK ETA for my whole family at once?
No, you cannot submit a single “group application.”
The UK Home Office requires a separate ETA application for every traveler, including babies. However, a lead applicant can apply on behalf of all family members using one device and email address to keep the process organized.
Do babies and infants need a UK ETA?
Yes, infants and babies of any age require their own UK ETA.
They cannot travel on their parent’s ETA. When applying for a child under 9 years old, you will not need to scan their face in the portal, but you must still provide a photo of their face and their passport details.
How much does the UK ETA cost for a family of 4?
The government fee is roughly £40 total for a family of 4.
The fee is currently set at £26 per person. This is significantly cheaper than the previous Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW), which cost £30 per person (£120 total) and was only valid for a single trip.
Can I use the UK ETA app for my children?
Yes, the UK ETA website is the easiest way to apply for children.
You can use your own smartphone to scan your child’s passport chip (NFC). The app allows you to act as a proxy applicant. Ensure the child is present if they are over 9 and need a live facial scan.
For more guides on travelling to the UK from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, visit the blog at etauk.ae.
