# UK ETA for US Citizens: Cost, Validity, and How to Apply URL: https://emptvl.vercel.app/travel-guides/uk-eta-for-us-citizens Publisher: Empyrean Travel (https://emptvl.vercel.app/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-19 US citizens need a UK ETA to visit Britain. See the 2026 cost, how long it’s valid, how to apply on the official app or GOV.UK, and when transit needs one. **Quick answer:** Yes, US citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the United Kingdom, and have since January 2025. As of 2026 it costs £20, allows multiple visits of up to six months each, and is valid for two years or until your passport expires. Apply on the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK; every traveler, including children, needs one. - Required since: January 8, 2025 - Cost (as of 2026): £20 - Valid for: 2 years or until your passport expires - Stay per visit: Up to 6 months - Apply at: GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app ## Who needs a UK ETA? Visitors from countries that don’t need a visa for short UK trips, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, now need an ETA. It covers tourism, visiting family and friends, business visits, and other short-stay activities. You don’t need an ETA if you hold a British or Irish passport, or if you already have permission to live, work, or study in the UK. ## How do you apply for a UK ETA? Most travelers apply on the official UK ETA app, which scans your passport and captures a photo of your face. You can also apply on GOV.UK, and you can apply on behalf of family members. - Have your passport, an email address, and a payment card ready - Upload or take a photo that meets the requirements - Answer the eligibility and suitability questions - Pay £20 (as of 2026) - Allow time for a decision; apply well before you book flights you can’t change ## How long is a UK ETA valid? An ETA is valid for two years or until the passport you used to apply expires, whichever comes first. During that time, you can visit the UK multiple times for up to six months per visit. Your ETA is linked electronically to your passport, so there’s nothing to print. If you get a new passport, you’ll need a new ETA. ## Do you need an ETA if you’re only connecting in London? If you’ll pass through UK border control, for example to change airports, collect bags, or leave the airport between flights, you need an ETA. Rules for travelers who stay airside without passing border control have changed since the ETA launched, so check GOV.UK and confirm with your airline before you rely on a connection without one. Planning time in London itself? See our London destination guide. ## How do you avoid UK ETA scams? Apply only through GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app. GOV.UK warns that other websites may charge more than the official fee, and some imitate government services. If a site charges significantly more than £20, it isn’t the official service. Europe has its own systems: see EES and ETIAS explained. ## Frequently asked questions **Q: Do US citizens need a visa to visit the UK?** A: No visa is needed for most short visits of up to six months, such as tourism or business meetings. However, US citizens do need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation, required since January 2025. As of 2026 it costs £20 and is valid for two years or until your passport expires, covering multiple visits. **Q: How long does a UK ETA take to approve?** A: Many applications are decided quickly, often well within a few days, but some take longer if extra checks are needed. Apply as soon as your plans are firm and before you buy non-refundable flights. Your ETA is linked to your passport electronically, so you’ll receive confirmation by email and won’t need to print anything. **Q: Does my child need a UK ETA?** A: Yes. Every traveler needs their own ETA, including babies and children. Parents or guardians can apply on their behalf using the official app or GOV.UK, paying the fee for each application. Make sure each child’s ETA is linked to the passport they’ll actually travel with, especially if you’ve recently renewed it. **Q: Is the UK ETA the same as ETIAS?** A: No. The UK ETA is the United Kingdom’s own travel authorization and has been required for US citizens since January 2025. ETIAS is a separate European Union system covering most EU and Schengen countries, and it isn’t operating yet. If your trip includes both London and Paris, plan for each system separately. **Q: Does a UK ETA guarantee entry to the UK?** A: No. An ETA gives you permission to travel to the UK, but a Border Force officer still decides whether to admit you on arrival. Bring your passport and be ready to explain the purpose of your visit, where you’ll stay, and your onward plans. Most travelers with valid documents pass through without issue. ## Sources - [GOV.UK: Electronic Travel Authorisation](https://www.gov.uk/eta) - [GOV.UK: Apply for an ETA](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta) - [GOV.UK: Check if you need a UK visa](https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa)