UK ETA for Americans: What It Is, How to Apply & What Changed in 2026
If you have not been to the UK since before April 2025, there is a new step in your pre-trip checklist. Americans now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding any transport to Britain — flight, ferry, or Eurostar train.
It is not a visa. It does not change what you can do as a visitor. It will not stamp your passport or appear in any document you carry. But it is now a hard legal requirement, and airlines are checking for it. Arrive without one, and you may not be allowed to board.
What Is the UK ETA?
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation is a pre-entry digital clearance system introduced by the UK Home Office. It is electronically linked to your passport — a background check that happens before you arrive, rather than at the border. The concept is identical to the US ESTA. You answer a short set of questions; if approved, a digital permission is attached to your passport record. Airlines verify it automatically at check-in.
Key Facts: UK ETA for US Citizens (2026)
- Required since: April 2, 2025 for US citizens
- Fee: £16 per person (increased from £10 on 25 Feb 2026)
- Valid for: 2 years or until passport expires — whichever is sooner
- Entries: Multiple — unlimited trips during validity
- Stay per visit: Up to 6 months
- Processing time: Usually minutes; allow up to 3 business days
- Apply via: Official UK ETA app or GOV.UK website
- Refundable: No — even if denied
- Applies to children: Yes — every traveler needs their own ETA, including infants
What Changed in 2026
- Fee increased from £10 to £16 per person effective February 25, 2026
- Dual British-American citizens must now travel on their British passport — they cannot use a US passport and obtain an ETA as a workaround
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Use the official UK ETA app (iOS/Android) or GOV.UK — avoid third-party sites charging more
- Scan your US passport using your phone camera
- Take a live selfie for identity verification
- Answer questions about your travel plans and background honestly
- Pay £16 by card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay
- Wait for decision — usually minutes, up to 3 business days
- Travel with the same passport you applied with — no printed document needed
Apply via the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK — both are free to use. Third-party sites often charge significantly more for the same service. Make sure the URL ends in .gov.uk if using the website.
What the ETA Permits and Does Not Permit
- Permitted: Tourism, leisure, holidays
- Permitted: Visiting family and friends
- Permitted: Business meetings, conferences, negotiations (not working for a UK employer)
- Permitted: Short-term study up to 6 months
- Permitted: Transit through UK airports
- Not permitted: Taking up paid employment with a UK employer
- Not permitted: Working as self-employed in the UK market
- Not permitted: Studying more than 6 months
- Not permitted: Settling in the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
If I get a new passport, do I need a new ETA?
Yes. Your ETA is linked to the specific passport you applied with. If your passport expires, is renewed, or is replaced, you need to apply for a new ETA linked to your new document.
Does every member of my family need an ETA?
Yes. Every traveler — including babies, toddlers, and children — needs their own individual ETA. A family of four pays 4 × £16 = £64.
Do I need an ETA if I am just transiting through a UK airport?
Yes — as of April 2025, even airside transit through UK airports requires an ETA for US citizens, with very limited exceptions at Manchester and Heathrow for non-border-control transit.
Can I apply for the ETA when I am already in the UK?
No. The ETA must be obtained before you travel. You cannot apply once you are already in the UK.
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Matthew Lin
Visa & Travel Writer
Matthew is a seasoned travel writer and visa consultant with over a decade of first-hand experience navigating international travel documentation. He writes to help everyday travelers cut through the confusion and travel with confidence.