Guide
The UK ETA for American travellers, explained
Americans no longer simply turn up at a UK border with a passport. Most visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe now need an electronic travel authorisation, or ETA, before they travel to the UK. It is quick and inexpensive, but it has to be in place before you fly, and every person in the party needs their own. Here is what the UK government says about the cost, timing, validity and the situations where you do not need one.
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What a UK ETA is
An ETA is a digital permission to travel, linked to your passport. According to GOV.UK, it lets you travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to six months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business trips or short-term study. It is not a visa, and it does not guarantee entry: a Border Force officer still decides whether to admit you on arrival.
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. The deciding factors are your nationality and the reason for your trip, and the UK government's online checker gives the definitive answer for your passport.
Cost, timing and validity at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Fee | £20 per person, not refundable after you apply |
| Decision time | Usually within a day by email; can take up to 3 working days |
| Validity | 2 years, or until the passport expires if sooner |
| Trips allowed | As many as you like while it is valid, each up to 6 months |
| Who needs one | Each traveller, including babies and children |
The practical lesson from those numbers: apply when you book, not the night before. Three working days can become five calendar days over a weekend, and GOV.UK is clear that you must wait for the email confirming the ETA before you travel.
How to apply
You can apply through the official UK ETA app or online through GOV.UK. You will need:
- the passport you will travel on;
- an email address;
- a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay; and
- a photo of the applicant's face that meets the UK rules for digital photos. A photo that does not meet them can delay or sink the application.
You can apply for other people. On the app, the other person needs to be with you; if they are not, you apply online with a photo of their passport and of their face. The decision email contains a 16-digit ETA reference number. Family members' decisions can arrive at different times, so do not assume everyone is approved because one email came through. Because the ETA is linked to the passport, also make sure the name on each flight booking matches that passport; see fixing a name on an airline ticket.
Connecting through London or another UK airport
Many trips from the US to Europe, Africa, the Middle East or India change planes at a UK hub. GOV.UK draws the line at border control:
- Airside transit, no ETA needed: if you change planes without passing through UK border control, you do not need an ETA.
- Landside transit, ETA needed: if you pass through border control before continuing your journey, you need an ETA. That typically happens when you have to collect your bags and check in again, or when the onward flight leaves from a different airport.
GOV.UK suggests checking with your airline if you are not sure. Separate tickets are the usual trap, because a self-made connection often means collecting your bag and checking in again; our guide to missed connecting flights explains the other risks of booking legs separately.
Who does not need an ETA
GOV.UK lists several groups, including people who:
- are British or Irish citizens;
- already have a UK visa or permission to live, work or study in the UK;
- are transiting airside without passing through border control; or
- live in Ireland and are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.
Dual US and British citizens cannot get an ETA. GOV.UK says dual citizens with British or Irish citizenship should travel on a valid British or Irish passport, or another passport with a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode. If you were born in the UK or have a British parent, check whether you are already a British citizen before you apply.
What you cannot do on an ETA
The ETA covers visits. GOV.UK says you cannot use it to stay longer than six months, to work for a UK company or as self-employed (apart from permitted paid engagements and the Creative Worker concession), to claim public funds, to live in the UK through frequent visits, or to marry or register a civil partnership. Anyone with a criminal record or a past refusal of entry may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead.
Travelling the other way? British visitors to the United States need an ESTA; see our ESTA guide and our notes on booking US flights from the UK. If your flight to or from the UK is delayed or cancelled, UK261 compensation may apply.
Common questions
Do US citizens need an ETA to visit the UK?
Usually yes. GOV.UK says visitors from the USA usually need an ETA rather than a visa for tourism, family visits, business trips and short-term study of up to six months.
How much does a UK ETA cost?
GOV.UK says an ETA costs £20 per person when you apply online or through the UK ETA app, and the fee is not refunded once you have applied.
How long does a UK ETA take to be approved?
You will usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days. You must wait for the confirmation email before travelling.
How long does a UK ETA last?
Two years, or until the passport it is linked to expires, whichever is sooner. You can make multiple trips during that time, each of up to six months.
Do I need a UK ETA for a layover at Heathrow?
Only if you pass through UK border control. If you stay airside and change planes without going through border control, GOV.UK says you do not need an ETA. Check with your airline if unsure.
Do children need their own ETA?
Yes. GOV.UK says each person travelling needs an ETA, including babies and children. A parent can apply on their behalf.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK
- GOV.UK: When you do not need an ETA
- GOV.UK: What you can and cannot do with an ETA
- GOV.UK: Apply for an ETA
General information, not immigration advice. Trailisse is an independent travel agency and is not affiliated with the UK government; we do not submit ETA applications.