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Do US citizens need a UK ETA?

Checked against GOV.UK and the US State Department. This page last updated .

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Yes. Every American visiting the UK needs one, babies included.

GOV.UK says you usually need an ETA rather than a visa if you are from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries. It costs £20 per person, lasts 2 years or until the passport expires, and you apply on the official UK ETA app or on GOV.UK. Wait for the confirmation email before you fly.

Cost
£20 each
Validity
2 years or passport expiry
Decision
Usually within a day
Source
GOV.UK

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What is different for Americans

Your ESTA does not cover the UK
The ESTA is the US’s own authorisation for visitors to the United States. The UK ETA is a separate permission from the UK Home Office, applied for separately.
The State Department page may not mention it
Its United Kingdom page, last updated in February 2023, says a visa is not required for stays of under six months, which is still true. The ETA is not a visa, so check GOV.UK for it.
Children’s US passports last 5 years
A child’s ETA ends when their passport does. A child’s passport is often the first in the family to be renewed, and after that they need a new ETA, even if the old one had time left.
Dual US–British citizens cannot get one
If you are also British or Irish, you travel on that passport instead: see the full UK ETA rules.
Flying in through Dublin?
Arriving from Ireland does not remove the need for an ETA unless you live in Ireland. A US visitor on a Dublin–London leg needs one.

How to apply

  1. Use the official UK ETA app or the apply page on GOV.UK. If you cannot use the app, apply online.
  2. Have ready: the passport you will travel with, an email address, a photo of your face, and a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
  3. Pay £20. There is no refund after you apply.
  4. Apply at least 3 working days before you travel. Most decisions arrive by email within a day.
  5. Applying for your family: on the app you can apply for someone else only if they are with you. Otherwise apply for them online.

Other websites may charge more. GOV.UK says applying through another website does not get you a faster decision. If the price is above £20 or the address is not gov.uk, close it: see which websites are the official ones.

Connecting through London

You need an ETA if you pass through UK border control before your onward flight. If you stay airside, you do not. If you are not sure, check with your airline.

Questions Americans ask about the UK ETA

Do Americans need a visa for the UK?

Not for a visit of up to six months. You need an ETA instead: an online permission, not a visa.

How much is the UK ETA for US citizens?

£20 per person, paid once per authorisation. There is no family price, and children pay the same.

How long does a UK ETA last?

Two years, or until the passport it is linked to expires, whichever comes first. You can make as many trips as you like in that time, for up to six months each.

How long does a UK ETA take to approve?

Usually within a day, but it can take up to three working days.

Does my baby need a UK ETA?

Yes. Each person travelling needs one, including babies and children. See the UK ETA for children.

I renewed my passport. Is my ETA still valid?

No. The ETA is linked to the passport you applied with, so a new passport needs a new ETA.

Does an ETA guarantee entry?

No. It is permission to travel. The Border Force officer decides on arrival.

Change log

  • Page published. Checked against GOV.UK and the US State Department.

Sources

Checked on .

About this page

VIARYO is not a government body and this page is not an official source. We read what GOV.UK publishes, summarise it, and record the date we last checked — you can read how we check our information. Where GOV.UK and this page disagree, GOV.UK is right: apply and confirm at the official ETA page.