Quick answer
Reviewed · 3 min read
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.
Researched and maintained by Empyrean Travel · How we research
- 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
Do US citizens need a visa to visit the UK?
How long does a UK ETA take to approve?
Does my child need a UK ETA?
Is the UK ETA the same as ETIAS?
Does a UK ETA guarantee entry to the UK?
Official sources
Rules, fees and schedules change — confirm the latest details at the source before you travel.