At a glance
In this guide
The short answer for US travelers
If you're a US citizen flying to the UK for a vacation, to see family, for a business trip or for short-term study, you'll usually need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) rather than a visa. The ETA is a permission to travel, not a visa, and it lets you visit the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to 6 months.[1]
The ETA costs £20 and you apply online or through the UK ETA app. Most people get a decision by email within a day, though it can take up to 3 working days. You must wait for that email before you travel.[1],[4]
Who needs an ETA (and who doesn't)
Most visitors need an ETA or a visa, and what you need depends on your nationality and why you're coming. As a US citizen, you usually need an ETA rather than a visa.[1]
Each person traveling needs their own ETA, including babies and children. You can apply on behalf of other people, so one adult can handle the applications for the whole family.[1]
You do not need an ETA if you have a British or Irish passport, a UK visa, or permission to live, work or study in the UK, including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode. You also don't need one if you have permission to live, work or study in Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.[1],[2]
There are other exceptions. You don't need an ETA if you're transiting through a UK airport without passing through border control (airside), if you're traveling with a British overseas territories citizen passport or a British National (Overseas) passport, or if you're a child traveling on the France-UK school trip travel information form.[2]
You also don't need an ETA if you live in Ireland and are traveling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, or if you're exempt from immigration control or don't need permission to enter. If you're waiting for a decision on your EU Settlement Scheme application, you don't need one either.[2]
What it costs
An ETA costs £20 to apply for online or through the UK ETA app. You cannot get a refund after you apply, so check your details before you pay.[4]
Be careful with lookalike websites. Other sites may charge more to apply, and applying through them won't get you a faster decision. Stick to the official government service.[1],[4]
What you'll need to apply
Have these ready before you start. The application is short, but missing something can slow you down.[4]
- The passport you'll travel with.[4]
- An email address.[4]
- A credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay to pay the £20 fee.[4]
- A photo of your face, or the face of the person you're applying for. On the app, you use your phone's camera to scan your passport and your face. Online, you upload a photo of the passport and a photo of the face.[4]
- If you're applying for someone else online, a photo of their passport and a photo of their face.[4]
How to apply, step by step
- 1
Choose the app or the website
You can apply through the UK ETA app or online. If you cannot download the app on your phone, apply online. On the app, you scan your passport and face with your phone's camera.[4]
- 2
Apply for yourself or others
You can apply for someone else's ETA on the UK ETA app if they're with you. If they're not with you, you must apply for them online.[4]
- 3
Pay the £20 fee
Pay the £20 fee by credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. There are no refunds after you apply.[4]
- 4
Wait for the decision email
You'll usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days. The email will contain your 16 digit ETA reference number.[4]
- 5
Travel only after approval
You must wait until you get an email confirming you have an ETA before you travel to the UK. Your ETA is linked to the passport you applied with, and you only need to show your passport when you travel.[4]
How long it takes and when to apply
Most decisions arrive by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days. Apply well before your trip so you're not waiting on the outcome.[4]
If you haven't received a decision after 3 working days, check your spam or junk email folder before contacting UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). You may get decisions at different times for different people in your group, even if you applied together.[4]
Your ETA lasts for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner. You can travel to the UK as many times as you want while you have an ETA.[4]
What you can and can't do with an ETA
With an ETA you can come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, on a business trip or for short-term study. You can also come for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession, for a permitted paid engagement, or transit through a UK airport if you'll pass through border control.[3]
You cannot stay longer than 6 months, do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person (unless it's a permitted paid engagement or event, or work on the Creative Worker visa concession), claim public funds (benefits), live in the UK through frequent or successive visits, or marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership. For a wedding, you need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa.[3]
If you're coming for another reason, check if you need a visa instead. Whether you need an ETA depends on why you're traveling.[3]
Arriving at the UK border
An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man. It's permission to travel, and a border officer still decides whether you can enter.[1],[3]
If you're passing through border control at a UK airport before continuing your onward journey, you need an ETA. If you're transiting airside without passing through border control, you don't need one.[1],[2]
If something goes wrong
If you need help, you can use webchat to ask about an ETA. UKVI cannot help with ETA enquiries over the phone.[1]
If you're from a country that needs a visa, you'll need to apply for a visa before traveling. US citizens usually need an ETA, not a visa, for the trips described here.[1],[2]
Questions people ask
Do US citizens need a visa or an ETA for the UK?
For tourism, visiting family, business trips or short-term study up to 6 months, US citizens usually need an ETA rather than a visa. What you need depends on your nationality and why you're coming, so check if your situation is different.[1],[3]
How much does the UK ETA cost?
It costs £20 to apply online or through the UK ETA app. There are no refunds after you apply, and other websites may charge more, so use the official service.[1],[4]
How long does the ETA take to process?
You'll usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days. Wait for the approval email before you travel.[4]
How long is the ETA valid?
It lasts for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner. You can travel to the UK as many times as you want while it's valid.[4]
Can I apply for my family at the same time?
Yes, you can apply on behalf of other people. Each person traveling needs their own ETA, including babies and children, and you may get decisions at different times.[1],[4]
What can I do with an ETA?
You can visit for up to 6 months for tourism, family visits, business trips or short-term study. You can also transit through a UK airport if you pass through border control, or come for a permitted paid engagement.[3]
What if my ETA application is rejected?
If your application is rejected or you need to change details, you'll need to apply again. You cannot get a refund after you apply.[4]
Where this comes from
Every rule, fee and deadline above is taken from these official pages, which we read on October 19, 2026. Rules change, so check the official page before you apply or pay.
- [1]Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: Overview · UK Government (GOV.UK)
- [2]Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: When you do not need an ETA · UK Government (GOV.UK)
- [3]Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: What you can and cannot do with an ETA · UK Government (GOV.UK)
- [4]Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: Apply for an ETA · UK Government (GOV.UK)