UK ETA for American citizens
American citizens have long travelled to the UK without a visa, and that has not changed — but since the ETA scheme took effect you now need an authorisation approved before you board. Airlines check for it at the gate, and without one you will not be allowed to fly.
UK ETA for United States — key facts
- American citizens do need a UK ETA before travelling to the United Kingdom.
- An ETA is not a visa and does not guarantee entry — a Border Force officer makes the final decision on arrival.
Verified against GOV.UK on 2026-10-12. UK ETA Gateway is a private agency, not the UK Government.
What is different for American travellers
The ETA requirement began applying to American passport holders on 8 January 2025. If you have not travelled to the United Kingdom since then, this will be your first ETA.
The fee is set by the Home Office in pounds sterling, so you are charged £49 and your bank converts it from US dollar (USD) at its own rate. We do not add a currency markup, and nobody — including us — can discount the £20 government portion.
Applying from United States
If you have ever filled in an ESTA, you already understand the UK ETA — it is the same idea running in the opposite direction. ESTA is what the United States requires of visa-free visitors arriving there; the ETA is what Britain now requires of visa-free visitors arriving here. Having one has no bearing on the other.
Americans were not brought into the scheme until enforcement became universal on 25 February 2026, so for most US travellers this will be a first application rather than a renewal. Visa-free travel to Britain has not ended — the difference is that approval now has to exist before you board, and airlines check for it at the gate.
The commonest American mistake is assuming a European trip with a London connection is covered. It is not, in either direction: an ETA gets you into the UK and nowhere else, and if you leave the airside area at Heathrow to collect bags or change terminals in a way that clears immigration, you need one even though Britain was never your destination.
Dual nationality is worth checking before you apply. If you also hold a British or Irish passport you cannot get an ETA at all and must travel on that passport instead — and we will refund you rather than file an application that cannot succeed.
What American travellers need
- A biometric American passport that will still be valid when you travel
- A digital photo meeting the GOV.UK standard
- An email address and a payment card
- Truthful answers on criminal convictions and past immigration refusals
You do not need flight bookings, hotel reservations, bank statements or an invitation letter.
Every American traveller needs their own ETA, including infants — there is no family application and no child discount. How ETAs work for children and families.
If you also hold British or Irish citizenship you cannot apply for an ETA at all — travel on that passport instead. Full requirements · Common questions.
United States at a glance
- ETA requiredYes
- Official Home Office fee£20
- Our service fee£29
- Total through us£49
- Validity2 years or passport expiry
- Maximum stay per visit6 months
- Typical decisionMinutes; allow 3 working days
- Number of entriesUnlimited
Or apply yourself at gov.uk/eta for £20.