As of January 8, 2025, US citizens—as well as visitors from Australia and Canada—are required to apply for permission to enter the United Kingdom through a new scheme known as Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
US citizens visiting the UK will need an ETA whether they are traveling for tourism or business, the US Embassy to the UK announced in a worldwide travel alert. “This requirement applies to all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland," the alert states. "The ETA is similar to the US ESTA system and acts as a pre-clearance for travel. This change is part of the UK’s move towards a digital border system.”
This means you will need an ETA if you are traveling to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The new requirements do not apply to the 14 UK Overseas Territories including Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, and the Cayman Islands, a UK home office spokesperson confirmed with Condé Nast Traveler on January 29, 2025.
US travelers with trips planned to the UK can now apply via the UK ETA mobile app or website. While most applications are approved the same day, it can take take up to 72 hours—so don't risk leaving it to the last minute.
The UK government is in the process of fully digitizing its borders by the end of 2025, which it says will help bolster national security. Soon, all visitors to the UK who aren't UK or Irish citizens will be required to receive advanced approval through an ETA or an eVisa. Travelers with layovers in the UK who do not pass through border control will be temporarily exempt from the requirements, the UK Home Office announced in January, citing feedback from the aviation industry.
The UK ETA system is similar to how the US's own ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) system works. “An ETA costs £10, permits multiple journeys, and lasts for two years or until the holder’s passport expires—whichever is sooner," the UK government explained in a news release. “Once granted, ETAs are digitally linked to a traveler’s passport and allow for stays of up to six months at a time—including both short trips and more extended stays. An ETA is not a visa, it is a digital permission to travel.”
Here's everything you need to know about the new UK ETA requirements.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publication date.
Will I need a visa to enter the UK?
This isn't technically a visa—the ETA system will grant travelers permission to enter the country. You will need to apply for an ETA prior to arrival. If you haven't received permission to travel before arrival, you may be fined or denied boarding.
Do I need an ETA if my layover is in the UK?
The UK previously said it would require fliers transiting through UK airports to apply for an ETA. However, the Home Office has now changed its course, per a January 2025 press release: “Following feedback from the aviation industry, the government has agreed a temporary exemption for passengers who transit airside, and therefore do not pass through UK border control, from needing an ETA." The decision will remain under review and is subject to change in the future.
How long will it take to get an ETA?
Travelers are advised to apply for an ETA at least a few days before their journey. Approval should be granted within a few hours of applying but can take up to 72 hours to process.
“Most applicants get an automatic decision in minutes when applying through the UK ETA app, which means spontaneous trips to the UK are still possible,” the UK government said in a statement.
How long will an ETA last?
After your ETA has been approved, visitors will be granted permission to stay in the UK for up to six months, whether for business or tourism reasons.
The ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires (whichever comes first)—meaning there's no need to apply for a new one every time you visit within the valid time period.
How much will an ETA cost?
The UK ETA will cost 10 pounds (approximately $13). However, the UK Home Office said in a January 2024 press release that it plans on increasing the ETA fee to 16 pounds (approximately $19.50) in the future, which it says will help “reduce the reliance on taxpayer funding of the migration and borders system.”
The EU is launching a similar authorization system in 2025, which will cost 7 euro (about $8). A US ESTA, meanwhile, costs $21.
Who will need to apply for an ETA?
The UK's new ETA requirements are rolling out in phases, based on nationality. Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries—which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—have been required to obtain a UK ETA since February 2024. Over 600,000 ETAs have been granted in the year ending September 2024, according to the latest immigration statistics.
Eligible non-Europeans (including US, Canadian, and Australian citizens) are required to get ETAs starting on January 8, 2025. Meanwhile, Europeans will need an ETA to travel to the UK starting on April 2, 2025, when the rules go fully into effect.
What will I need to apply for an ETA?
You'll need to provide a valid passport (a physical copy, not a photo copy or digital version), access to an email address, and a valid debit or credit card to pay the application fees (Apple Pay or Google Pay are also available). The application requires you take digital photos of the face and passport of the person applying. For this reason, it's easier to apply via the mobile app using your phone camera than on the UK ETA website.
Who does not need to apply for an ETA?
According to the US embassy to the UK, travelers do not need to apply for an ETA "if they already have a visa, an exempt vignette, or have a British or Irish passport. Other nationalities that ordinarily require a visa to visit the UK will continue to do so and should not obtain an ETA."
To keep up to date with the latest information on the UK ETA, check the official website for more details as they become available.
A version of this article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller UK
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