United Kingdom visa for United States citizens
Travellers from the United States can no longer simply board a flight to the United Kingdom for tourism — they must hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) linked to their passport. The ETA costs 20 GBP and is applied for online, so there is no embassy visit involved. Once granted it permits visits of up to 180 days for tourism and short business. Processing time is not fixed, so apply well ahead of your trip rather than at the airport; check current timelines on the official guidance at gov.uk. Your ETA is tied electronically to the passport you applied with, which must be the one you travel on.
| Visa required | No (source) |
|---|---|
| e-Visa available | No (source) |
| Maximum stay | 180 days (source) |
| Processing time | Varies — verify on the official source |
| Visa fee | 20 GBP (source) |
Official resources
Requirements
What US travellers need for an ETA
- A valid US passport — the Electronic Travel Authorisation is linked to it digitally.
- A digital photograph and, in most cases, a selfie taken through the official app.
- An email address to receive confirmation of the approved ETA.
- A payment card for the 20 GBP fee.
- Answers to short character and travel-history questions in the application.
- No biometric enrolment appointment — the ETA is fully online.
- Time to apply before departure, since approval is not guaranteed to be instant; see gov.uk guidance.
- An understanding that the ETA covers visits of up to 180 days.
Documents checklist
- A valid US passport — the ETA is linked to it electronically, so it must be the passport you travel on.
- A digital passport-style photograph that meets the app's requirements.
- A selfie captured through the official application, used in most cases for verification.
- A working email address to receive the ETA decision.
- A debit or credit card for the 20 GBP fee.
- Your travel dates and UK accommodation details for the application questions.
- Honest answers to the character and immigration-history questions.
- Confirmation of onward or return travel, which carriers may check.
- An understanding that the ETA covers visits of up to 180 days.
Application steps
- Download the official UK ETA app or use the gov.uk online service, not a third-party reseller.
- Scan your US passport when prompted so the authorisation links to it.
- Take the requested photograph and selfie within the app.
- Answer the character and travel-history questions honestly.
- Pay the 20 GBP fee with a debit or credit card.
- Submit the application and allow time before travel, checking timelines on gov.uk.
- Receive the approved ETA by email, linked to your passport.
- Travel on that passport; the ETA covers visits of up to 180 days.
Processing time
Varies — verify on the official source
Visa cost
Fee (from our data): 20 GBP (source) . Fees are subject to change; check the official source before applying.
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation for US citizens costs 20 GBP, paid online when you apply. This single fee covers the ETA itself; there is no separate biometric appointment or service-centre charge, as the whole process is completed digitally.
Pay with a debit or credit card through the official app or gov.uk service. Avoid third-party resellers, which add a markup on top of the official fee.
Fees and processing times can change, so check the current amount and timelines on the official gov.uk guidance before applying.
Common mistakes to avoid
US visitors to the UK now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they fly — it is not a visa, but forgetting it can stop you at the gate.
- Booking travel without applying for the ETA. Apply online ahead of departure through the official ETA service; airlines check for it at boarding.
- Confusing the ETA with a visa. You do not need a visitor visa, but you do need the ETA — the two are different, and only the ETA applies here.
- Overpaying via copycat sites. The official fee is 20 GBP; unofficial sites charge more for the same authorisation.
- Leaving it to the airport. While many approvals are quick, processing is not guaranteed to be instant — see the official guidance and apply early.
- Misjudging the stay. Visits are generally permitted up to 180 days, but the ETA is for tourism and short visits, not living or working in the UK.
- Passport mismatch. The ETA is linked to the passport you apply with; travel on that same passport, valid for the whole stay.
Country context & recent trends
The Electronic Travel Authorisation is a relatively new requirement that US visitors did not previously face for UK tourism, so it is easy to overlook when booking. There is no consulate appointment involved — the ETA is applied for online — but it must be approved before you board, not arranged on arrival.
Demand and processing can fluctuate, particularly as the scheme expands to more nationalities and around busy travel periods. Check the current requirements and timelines on the official gov.uk guidance before you travel, as the rules continue to evolve.
How it compares to nearby destinations
If the UK is part of a wider European trip, it helps to see how its entry rules compare for US travellers with nearby destinations.
| Destination | Visa required | Typical processing | Indicative fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | ETA required (electronic authorisation) | Varies | 20 GBP |
| Ireland | No ETA; separate visa-free entry rules | Not applicable | None |
| France (Schengen Area) | Visa-free short stays; ETIAS authorisation expected | Varies | Varies — check official source |
| Spain (Schengen Area) | Visa-free short stays; ETIAS authorisation expected | Varies | Varies — check official source |
The UK and the Schengen countries operate separate systems, so an authorisation for one does not cover the other — check each official source before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
-
Do US citizens need a visa to visit the UK?
Not a visa, but a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is required for tourism. It is applied for online and must be approved before you travel.
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How much does the ETA cost?
The ETA fee is 20 GBP, paid online when you apply. Avoid reseller sites, which add their own charge on top.
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How long does it take to get approved?
Approval is not always instant, so apply well before you travel rather than at the airport. Check current timelines on the official gov.uk guidance.
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How long can I stay with an ETA?
An approved ETA covers visits of up to 180 days for tourism and short business. It does not, however, allow you to work or settle in the UK.
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Do children need their own ETA?
Yes. Every traveller, including children and infants, needs an individual ETA. Each is applied for separately and linked to that person's passport.
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What if I get a new passport?
The ETA is tied electronically to the passport used to apply. If you renew your passport, you must obtain a new ETA before travelling.