US Citizens Must Apply for ETA Before Traveling to UK Starting January 8 2025

US Citizens Must Apply for ETA Before Traveling to UK Starting Jan. 8, 2025

​​Just as UK citizens must obtain electronic authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before traveling to the United States for business or tourism, U.S. citizens are now required to obtain Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before visiting the UK.

All non-Europeans may apply for an ETA as of Nov. 27, 2024. U.S., Canadian and Australian citizens, who were previously able to travel to the UK with just a valid passport, must now obtain an ETA before arriving in the UK unless they already have a UK visa or have a British or Irish passport.
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An ETA replaces visa-free travel to the UK. Travelers using ETA are permitted in the UK for up to six months for purposes of tourism, visiting family and friends, business, or short-term study; for up to three months on the Creative Worker visa concession; for a permitted paid engagement or for transiting through the UK. For any other purpose, travelers should consult an immigration attorney to determine whether a visa is required. Travelers can apply for the ETA via the UK ETA App or online.

It costs 10 GBP and typically takes about three working days to be approved.

Once approved, the ETA is valid for two years.


Who does not need an ETAYou do not need an ETA if any of these apply to you:

• you have a visa
• you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)
• you are a British or Irish citizen
• you are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport
• you live in Ireland and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man

Dual citizensIf you are a dual citizen with British or Irish citizenship, you do not need an ETA. Prove your permission to travel using your British passport, Irish passport or other passport containing a certificate of entitlement.
What you can do with an ETAYou can get an ETA instead of a visa if you are:

• coming to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study
• coming to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
• coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement
• transiting through the UK – including if you are not going through UK border control

If you are coming to the UK for another reason, check if you need a visa instead.
What you cannot do with an ETAYou cannot:

• stay in the UK for longer than 6 months
• do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you are doing 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
• marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership - you will need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa

How much it costsIt costs £10 to apply. Everyone travelling needs to get an ETA, including babies and children. You can apply for other people.
You cannot get a refund after you apply.
Before you startYou need:

• the passport you will travel with - not a photocopy or digital passport
• access to your emails
• a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay

You will need to upload or take photos of the:

• passport
• face of the person applying

You do not need to enter your travel details.
Apply for an ETAThe fastest way to apply is using the UK ETA app.

​https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta